Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (progressive post)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Bedfordshire iCaSH team, in the busy Kings Brook. We are looking for a Band 5 Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist training post with progression to Band 6 for the right applicant. East of England Community Health and Care Trust NHS iCaSH Services provide a range of contraception, sexual health and HIV services to people across the East of England. May include evenings on a rota basis.

The successful applicant will demonstrate an interest in all aspects of contraception and sexual health. This role is suitable for a Band 5 registered nurse seeking a progressive training opportunity to develop and achieve competencies to become a Band 6. We welcome applications from individuals with a keen interest to develop in the specialty. You must be motivated and committed, have strong team-working skills and a keen interest in research, training, education and service development.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work collaboratively as part of the iCaSH team to provide a comprehensive and confidential service for patients presenting with contraceptive or sexual health needs.
• In line with your scope of practice and knowledge undertake clinical assessment and physical examinations when required, initiating treatment within level of competence in accordance with agreed protocols, referring to senior staff where appropriate.
• Perform contraceptive or sexual health procedures including but not exclusive of venepuncture. Interpret results and act accordingly, within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate.
• Plan and deliver evidence based care and treatment within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate.
• Provide appropriate contraceptive advice and methods to ensure an integrated approach.
• To work within existing PGDs for all methods of contraception and sexual health treatments.
• To practice as a prescriber, if the post-holder has a non-medical prescribing qualification.
• Provide advice, information, education and counselling to patients within level of competence, referring to a senior staff where appropriate.
• Ensure understanding of and stress the importance of any medical treatment indicated and to describe and explain testing and follow-up procedures.
• To provide effective partner notification to ensure attendance and testing/treatment of partners at risk.
• To take telephone enquiries from the general public and health care professionals about sexually transmissible infections including HIV, Hepatitis B/C and all contraceptive queries.
• To record interventions accurately and concisely in client case notes and keep confidential records for the purposes of partner notification.
• Adapt communication and language to suit patient group/audience and to establish good working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Maintain own professional development and take part in appraisal and KSF process.
• Participate in a yearly appraisal and development review where relevant objectives are set.
• Take responsibility for keeping professionally up to date, demonstrating awareness of policy changes.
• Assist with teaching and education to individuals and groups from within and outside the service.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.