Job summary

The Health Adviser role requires practice that is informed by higher levels of judgement, decision-making and discretion and therefore the post holder must keep informed as to recent developments within the field and relevant areas of Sexual Health, Contraception and HIV.

The Health advisers role is to provide advice, information and education to patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B & C.

To carry out partner notification, to ensure the attendance and treatment of contacts.

To provide ongoing support for those with associated concerns e.g. sexual identity, relationship and psychosexual issues etc.

To provide pre-test HIV discussion and post-test discussion including giving HIV Positive diagnosis

To provide risk reduction and safer sex advice to those who are taking PrEP.

The Health Adviser can expect on occasion to see patients in a highly emotive atmosphere. The Health Adviser deals with contacts at all levels internally and externally-often representing the Trust to external agencies (both statutory and voluntary).

Main duties of the job

Clinical:

  • Work within the guidelines outlined by appropriate regulating body, and in line with the SSHA code of conduct and local and national guidelines.
  • Ensure practice is based on the best evidence available

Management:

  • Demonstrate the ability to manage workload independently, but work well within a team.
  • Instigate, monitor and review standards/policies/guidelines, as appropriate, and in line with Clinical Governance.

Education and Professional Development:

  • Identify the specific training/information and support needs of patients, their carers, and relevant staff within a given field of practice
  • Participate in planning, organisation and presentation of educational programmes

Research:

  • Initiate, undertake and participate in research both at a personal level and across disciplines
  • Instigate and participate in audit and surveys.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Date posted

27 February 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£33,706 to £40,588 a year pa / pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

387-M-2401-LH

Job locations

Unity Sexual Health

Central Health Clinic

Bristol

BS2 0JD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 1st level Registered Nursing Qualification OR CQSW OR A relevant degree

Desirable

  • Health Advisers’ Course
  • Counselling qualification
  • Training qualification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to assess complex situations independently which require analysis of a range of options
  • Ability to deliver highly sensitive information (requires well developed persuasive and re-assurance skills as well as self confidence
  • Sound knowledge of sexual health though experience and training
  • Ability to plan and deliver a range of multifaceted activities.
  • Good presentation skills
  • Understanding of the critical importance of confidentiality
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
  • Ability to be mobile between locations
  • Basic/good IT skills

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of dealing with the sensitive issues and information in a variety of settings.
  • Experience of working with sexual health issues
  • Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
  • Experience of working with vulnerable and minority groups.
  • Experience of working in a busy environment
  • Experience of analysing and presenting complex information

Desirable

  • Previous experience of the NHS
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 1st level Registered Nursing Qualification OR CQSW OR A relevant degree

Desirable

  • Health Advisers’ Course
  • Counselling qualification
  • Training qualification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to assess complex situations independently which require analysis of a range of options
  • Ability to deliver highly sensitive information (requires well developed persuasive and re-assurance skills as well as self confidence
  • Sound knowledge of sexual health though experience and training
  • Ability to plan and deliver a range of multifaceted activities.
  • Good presentation skills
  • Understanding of the critical importance of confidentiality
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
  • Ability to be mobile between locations
  • Basic/good IT skills

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of dealing with the sensitive issues and information in a variety of settings.
  • Experience of working with sexual health issues
  • Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team
  • Experience of working with vulnerable and minority groups.
  • Experience of working in a busy environment
  • Experience of analysing and presenting complex information

Desirable

  • Previous experience of the NHS

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .