HCT Counsellor at Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

• The HCT Research Counsellor will be responsible for conducting in-clinic research activities for the Universal Test and Connect (UTC) Study, ensuring effective participant recruitment, engagement and high-quality data collection. This position will identify, approach, consent, and enroll participants during their facility visits, administer study questionnaires, and collate medical records (both paper and electronic) for research purposes. The HCT Counsellor will play a key role in protocol adherence and participant retention, supporting study execution under the research nurse at the Gugulethu site, with future expansion to Tygerberg in 2026.

Job Requirements

• Grade 12 Certificate
• HIV counselling and Testing Certificate (HCT)
• Certificate of competence: Rapid Finger-Prick testing for HIV
• Rapid Testing Quality Improvement Initiative Certificate
• At least 1-year experience of working with adolescents within a research/ community health environment
• Knowledge of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, TB and STI’s, and counselling
• Experience in a Community Based research-Projects
• Computer literacy with sound knowledge of email, Microsoft office suite
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluency in English and or Afrikaans and or IsiXhosa
• Ability to work well under pressure and to maintain effectiveness during changing conditions
• Maintain confidentiality
• Administration skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of the mobile clinic team
• Client focused and detail-orientated
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including weekends

Advantageous:

• Valid Driver’s license
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certificate
• Knowledge of HIV
• Certificate for PrEP

Responsibilities:

• Providing welcoming and supportive environment to adolescent clients regardless of race, gender, or HIV status.
• Conduct Rapid HIV, pregnancy testing and follow up where required.
• Provide basic HIV/ARV/ PrEP/PEP education to participants individually and in groups.
• Assist in tracking of participants enrolled into research projects.
• Accurate and complete questionnaire administration.
• Participate in recruitment and consenting activities.
• Follow-up telephone calls with study participants.
• Assist with recruiting patients for research studies.
• Assist with community surveys.
• Assist with filing research forms and patient files.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality.
• Capturing study data on mobile app
• Weekly and Monthly progress reports on research participation (recruitment, enrolment and retention).
• Assist with other project related activities as required