Sexual Health Nurse – Sandyford Services

Job Description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role

There is a job opportunity for a Band 5 Sexual Health Nurse at Sandyford.

Sandyford Sexual Health Service provides care for sexual, reproductive, and emotional health across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. It also offers specialist services for more complex cases and specific groups of people, some of which are provided regionally or nationally.

The service plays an important role in helping the NHS meet national targets, especially in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. This includes offering long acting contraception (LARC), testing for HIV and STIs, supporting partner notification, and providing treatments to prevent HIV before and after exposure. The service also focuses on higher risk groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), young people, and individuals who have experienced sexual violence.

The Sexual Health Nurse will be part of a specialist team and will manage patients with a variety of needs. Duties include assessing patients, carrying out tests, treating infections (including blood borne viruses), providing long acting contraception like implants, and helping with partner notification.

The post holder will be an independent practitioner in sexual and reproductive health and will see clients on an individual basis consulting within the legal and ethical framework in line with professional accountability. They will be responsible for the management and treatment of clients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and asymptomatic contacts of clients with STIs.

You need to have a live NMC UK pin in order to be considered for this post.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

• Location: Sandyford Central
• Contract: Permanent, full time
• Hours: 36 per week
• Working Pattern: Monday Friday (08 00)

Key responsibilities

• The post holder will assess, plan, implement and evaluate a programme of evidence based clinical care considering the social model of health.
• Undertake detailed sexual and social histories to establish the needs of the individual patient and support, counsel or refer for medical advice as appropriate.
• Be responsible for disclosing and explaining the diagnosis and implications of bacterial STIs to a patient or partner.
• Provide appropriate treatment and ensure effective partner notification for those diagnosed with a range of STIs, being accountable for their care management.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of the full range of contraceptive methods available, knowing side effects, mode of action and effectiveness to be able to teach client method of choice and supply medication following Patient Group Directions.
• Remove and fit sub dermal long acting reversible contraceptive implants.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required Essential

• Registered nurse Adult or Mental Health, currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council
• Ability to work on own initiative and within a team
• Ability to work to challenging deadlines
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to sexual health
• Good communication skills, verbal/written
• Effective listening and interpersonal skills
• IT skills – word processing, email, internet
• Leadership skills
• Problem solving skills

Essential or working towards

• Sub dermal contraceptive implant device fitting/removal competence
• Competence in managing patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of an STI
• Competence in uncomplicated partner notification
• Assessor/mentorship training
• Evidence of contraceptive and sexual infection knowledge including public health/partner notification obtained from modular learning
• A graduate certificate qualification specific to sexual and reproductive health with core educational focus on development of clinical competence.

What we offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e learning and classroom based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Work Life Balance

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises the importance of work life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.