Linkage Officers at Health Systems Trust

Description

To support the District Department of Health in providing direct cervical cancer screening services as part of Health Systems Trust’s (HST’s) Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control (CCPAC) Project implementation, HST wishes to appoint three Linkage Officers in the Zululand District, KwaZulu-Natal Province: one in eDumbe; one in Empangeni; and one in Ulundi – kwaCeza. These incumbents will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the patient-tracking systems by linking and navigating patients through referral pathways and processes across the different levels of care. Working with the facility staff, Outreach Teams and the community, the Linkage Officers will serve as Patient Navigators to facilitate follow-through for patients, ensuring that adequate documentation and support is provided in their treatment journey. They will assist in improving the quality of life mentally, physically and spiritually for the patients diagnosed with cervical cancer at their facilities through palliative care, counselling and support. Working closely with community-based organisations (CBOs) to build trusting relationships with community members for the implementation of this project, the incumbents will actively participate in the campaign programme to facilitate project outcomes and capacity-building. These are fixed-term contract positions, renewable subject to availability of funding.

Key Responsibilities

•  Strengthen linkages between the community and facilities in collaboration with the Outreach Teams and the facility staff 
•  Serve as a point of contact and information node between the community and the facilities within and outside the district 
•  Set up and manage a patient referral system for active linkage to care at the nearest facilities 
•  Implement case management of patients across the cervical cancer treatment cascade 
•  Obtain line lists from the facilities to track and trace patients back to care 
•  Establish systems for efficient records management 
•  Support the establishment and implementation of feedback systems as part of the referral package 
•  Track linkage targets, and prepare and submit related monthly reports 
•  Support quality-improvement processes to strengthen linkage approaches, and identify and document good linkage practices 
•  Participate in data analysis (facility targets, tracer indicators, cascades) 
•  Submit daily, weekly and monthly data reports to the facility 
•  Participate in the facility’s bi-weekly and monthly review meetings.

Key Attributes

•  A strong work ethic and ability to work in a pressurised environment 
•  Ability to work with minimal supervision and be deadline-driven 
•  Ability to work after hours, which may include weekends from time to time.

Education Required

• Higher Certificate

Qualification Required

•  Certification as an Enrolled Nurse with a Counselling Certificate OR 
•  Certification in Social Auxiliary Work 
•  Current registration with the required health professional body is essential.

Experience Required

•  A strong background in counselling patients and partners on the importance of remaining in care for better disease outcomes 
•  Sound understanding of the importance of the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy, notably for patients’ linkage to and continuity of care 
•  Experience of working in a palliative care programme will be advantageous. 
•  Good communication skills and ability to communicate in English, isiZulu and/or another South African language 
•  Thorough understanding of South Africa’s national and provincial public health policies 
•  Solid experience in and knowledge of partnering with multiple stakeholders 
•  Extensive experience with patient tracking (via telephone and in person through home visits) 
•  Computer literacy and competence in Microsoft software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) 
•  Previous work experience in non-governmental organisations or funded programmes will be an advantage.