Sexual Health Nurse

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dynamic registered nurse who has a keen interest in sexual and reproductive health to join the West Sexual Health Service team in Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.

The post is for 22.5 hrs worked over 3 days flexibly including evenings

The successful candidates will be based within Sexual Health Services at  Ashurst Health Centre and will also work in community clinics throughout West Lancashire.

We would like an individual with excellent communication skills who enjoys working as part of a team.

The post holder will work as part of the Sexual Health Services team, providing care to patients requiring testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and / or requiring contraception.

Sexual Health Services offer clinics both during the day (Monday to Saturday) and in the evenings (latest clinic finishes at 20:00). There is an expectation that the successful candidate will work across these sessions on a rota basis.

Main duties of the job

They will provide sexual health advice, education, asymptomatic screening and treatments to patients in a supportive confidential environment, recognising when to refer a problem onto a Doctor or Senior Nurse within the service.  This will include undertaking partner notification in line with BASHH guidelines to reduce to spread of infection in the community.

Perform venepuncture, in line with Trust Policy.

Issue prescribed medication as requested by medical staff and non-medical prescribers and offer relevant/necessary advice to patients.

Provide sexual health advice to patients following a positive STI diagnosis, initiate treatments as per Patient Group Directions and implement partner notification measures as per local guidelines.

Administer vaccinations and immunisations (e.g. Hepatitis A/B and HPV vaccines) in conjunction with clinical protocol and Patient Group Directions

Provide sexual health information, advice, teaching and support to patients enabling them to select and use a method of contraception suited to their needs.

Follow agreed clinic protocols and patient group directions, to supply emergency contraception, and re-issue combined oral and progesterone only contraceptive methods and Depo-Provera injections, checking the relevant histories in relation to these methods previously undertaken by senior staff in the service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To undertake sexual health histories, including the assessment of asymptomatic patients, offering appropriate tests as per clinic guidelines.
• To perform venepuncture, in line with Trust Policy.
• To issue prescribed medication as requested by medical staff and non-medical prescribers and offer relevant/necessary advice to patients.
• To provide sexual health advice to patients following a positive STI diagnosis, initiate treatments as per Patient Group Directions and implement partner notification measures as per local guidelines.
• To administer vaccinations and immunisations (e.g. Hepatitis A/B and HPV vaccines) in conjunction with clinical protocol and Patient Group Directions
• To provide sexual health information, advice, teaching and support to patients enabling them to select and use a method of contraception suited to their needs.
• To follow agreed clinic protocols and patient group directions, to supply emergency contraception, and re-issue combined oral and progesterone only contraceptive methods and Depo-Provera injections, checking the relevant histories in relation to these methods previously undertaken by senior staff in the service.
• Support the Senior Sexual Health Nurses to maintain a high level of service to patients in the absence of a Doctor and referral to alternative clinics/agencies as appropriate.
• To ensure excellent documentation of patient care in the electronic patient records.
• Act as the patient’s advocate at all times and promote their privacy, dignity and modesty during the clinic visit.
• Assess patients under the age of 16 using Fraser Guidelines; adhering to local Safeguarding Policies with referral to appropriate agencies as needed (i.e. Safeguarding team, Social services, Family protection unit, Police).
• Be responsible for the continuity of patient care during their clinic visit.
• Participating and Co-operating with the multi- disciplinary team in all aspects of patient care, arranging any necessary after care/referrals that may be required e.g. Termination Services, Counselling and the SAFE Centre.
• Provide health education and promotion of health and prevention of illness with regards to all areas of sexual health including condom demonstrations and condom usage advice.
• Maintaining stock levels within the clinical area (which include medications/vaccines) and prepare clinical rooms ensuring equipment and supplies necessary to offer optimum treatments are available and set-up correctly.
• Maintain the safe custody of drugs in accordance with the Trust and NMC policies/guidelines.
• Monitoring the standard of cleanliness and adhere to infection control policies at all times.
• Reporting of untoward incidents, accidents and complaints to the Team Leader/Senior Sexual Health Nurse and complete necessary paperwork relating to these.
• Participation in audit/clinical governance issues such as record keeping, patient satisfaction.  Maintaining and monitoring any requested details.  Implementation of any actions required following audit with the aim of improving quality of services.
• Participating in the teaching of other health professionals (to include junior staff and pre and post registration students) and other agencies as required.
• Formally assess educational programmes of pre and post registration students.
• Undertake Performance Development Reviews (PDRs) with staff up to and including Band 4
• Work closely with the Team Leader and Specialist Nurses in assisting in Nurse Led Clinics in a variety of settings following agreed protocols and PGD’s
• Establishing good communication with colleagues and clients, their partners and relatives mindful of confidentiality – ensuring complaints procedure is available and followed.
• Ensuring that accurate and contemporaneous records relating to the patient care are in line with the Trust record keeping policy and the Data Protection Act 1984 using either paper based or electronic patient records.
• To code all clinical care provided (e.g. SHRAD, GUMCAD) and assist with local and national data collection of clinical information reports.
• To be aware of the confidential nature of the service and work within the legal responsibilities as laid down in the Venereal Diseases Regulations 1974 and the NHS Trust Act 1991.
• To maintain professional relationships with all medical, nursing and clerical staff.
• Participation in relevant service meetings and training. Raising of relevant issues and cascading information to colleagues.
• Participation in induction/study days, seminars, courses etc. for individual development and the benefit of the service in line with Personal Development Programme.
• Maintain your own professional and personal development, attending mandatory training as required.
• To participate in regular clinical supervision and the PDR process.
• Observe and adhere to all Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Adhere to the NMC Code: Standards of Conduct, Performance and ethics for nurses and midwives at all times.

Please ensure you have read the attached job description and person specification before submitting your application.