Professional Nurse Counsellor - MSM ( Cape Town ) at TB HIV Care

Purpose of the position:

• The Professional Nurse (PN) is responsible for comprehensive, integrated cascade of care, inclusive of diagnosing, treating, monitoring and evaluating communicable and infectious diseases. The PN will consult and provide preventative, curative and rehabilitative treatment/health care to Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) on various clinical aspects (Adult Curative care inclusive of communicable, non-communicable diseases).

Minimum Requirements    
Education

• Grade 12
• Diploma/degree in Nursing (NQF Level 7)
• Dispensing license preferable, or a willingness to study towards this
• NIMART preferable, or a willingness to study towards this

Work Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ community nursing experience
• A minimum of 1 years’ experience working with Key Populations
• Experience with NiMART, ART Clubs, Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), previous experience in key populations/MSM

Other Requirements:

• Registration with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse
• Computer literate in MW Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in English and isiZulu languages
• Valid code 8 driver’s licence
• Willingness to travel as and when required

Duties and Responsibilities    

• Communicating and determining the status of the client and or referring to historical records to evaluate and establish treatment/medication required
• Analysing symptoms and conducting specific examinations and/or conducting tests and physical assessments
• Interpreting and/or seeking clarity from Clinical Supervisor on specific test results and providing client with an explanation on treatment sequence according to Protocol, Policy and Guidelines
• Making a nursing diagnosis according to policy, protocol and Guidelines
• Prescribing/administering the necessary medication/drugs in required dosages to control infection in line with Policy guidelines.
• Implementing and integrating policy and programmes relating to PHC – MSM Health, SRH, HTS, TB Screening, PACK/Pulsa Plus/PC101.
• Documenting Referrals and communicating of referrals to Clinical Supervisor
• Consulting and managing HIV positive clients with opportunistic infections according to policy, protocol and guidelines – referring appropriately.
• Attending to Trauma and medical emergencies according to Protocol, Policies and Guidelines.
• Managing follow up care of referrals.
• Initiating, managing and prescribing clients diagnosed with HIV for ART according to Protocol, Policy and Guidelines. * Only applicable to Organisations who operate in medical settings with access to Pharmaceuticals and NIMART trained staff.
• Attending to Follow up ART and PrEP clients.
• Attending to referrals from peer educators, site coordinators, social auxiliary worker and programme manager.
• Supporting the formation on adherence and biomedical support groups for MSM.
• Maintaining accurate reports and records of procedures performed.
• Keeping accurate, up-to-date records of medical supplies, equipment and drugs in own area of operation
• Updating Clinical records and registers: Referral, Linkage, ART, HTS
• Providing statistics on portfolios delegated.
• Managing Drug supply and HIV RDTs in line with GPP (Good Pharmacy Practice)
• Monitoring HTS data and ensuring targets are met
• Monitoring referrals and ensuring successful referrals are validated
• Participating in meetings: networking and stakeholder engagement
• Keeping abreast with new clinical developments e.g. training, in-service training, reading journals, policies, and procedures related to job
• Assisting with setting of goals, objectives and interventions for quality service delivery
• Ensuring all medical equipment is in working order
• Adhering to health and safety and infection control policies and procedures
• Implementing and maintaining quality assurance programmes:
• Assisting with assessments
• Implementing rapid test continuous quality improvement: Independent quality control and proficiency testing for HIV RDTs
• Demonstrating and explaining procedures related to testing and treatment, medical waste disposal, drugs/medication dosages
• Monitoring execution implementing corrective measures to rectify deviations and mitigate risk
• Checking and reinforcing first aid skills and understanding emergency procedures and linkages to care
• Providing guidelines on responses to “Frequently Asked Questions” on PHC issues
• Assisting with referral pathways – building networks
• Communicating and making available information and advice on preventative and primitive approaches to health care e.g. HIV/TB/SRH, particularly in the context of the programme
• Providing health education on Family Planning, healthy lifestyles and social responsibility
• Demonstrating treatment techniques for specific diseases to MSM
• Participating in programme activities as agreed
• Playing a role with the community and site you work in in providing health services to MSM
• Supporting DOH with events and campaigns
• Attend meetings, briefings, debriefing, staff meetings and other as directed to do so on a regular basis
• Additional responsibilities delegated by managers from time to time
• Represent the organisation with pride and ensure you adhere to the ethos and principles
• Be a role model to strengthen positive behaviour change of MSM and the programme team

Skills and Competencies    

•  Excellent knowledge of HIV, TB and STI, prevention approaches and DoH screening guidelines
• An understanding of the challenges facing MSM in the health context and an ability to communicate and work well with MSM in the provision of health services
• An in-depth understanding and knowledge of legislative requirements, acceptable practices and procedures
• High-level planning and organisational skills
• Good communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills, including being a team player
• Demonstrate strong professional attitude and behaviour at all times
• Ability to work non-traditional hours which may include weekends from time to time
• Excel
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Report-writing and statistics