Assistant Practitioner/ Nurse Associate - AXESS Sexual Health inWarrington inWarrington PUBLISHED FRI 13 DEC 2024

We are looking for a qualified band 4 assistant practitioner or nurse associate to join the Warrington & Halton axess team. In axess we provide an integrated and innovative approach to sexual health through combining expertise in contraception & reproductive health, STIs & HIV, system leadership, digital health & postal testing

The service has a mobile clinic that can be adapted for use in health promotion and community events. The post holder will be responsible for providing a high standard of sexual reproductive healthcare with specific focus on young people, LGBTQI+ and will have experience and knowledge of safeguarding practice and procedures (children and adult). They will provide general/specific care for these client groups and will be proficient and competent to work across professional disciplines, referring clients for assessment and treatment or to other agencies as required.

The successful candidate will work alongside and / or under the supervision of the sexual health Practitioners, and other clinical staff within the axess Sexual Health team to deliver and evaluate care interventions developed to meet those needs. Supervision may be direct/indirect depending upon competency/complexity of work.

The post holder will continue to develop and undertake a range of delegated tasks and will report to a Registered Practitioner. They will provide general/specific care for a client group and will be proficient and competent to work across professional disciplines, referring clients for assessment and treatment or to other agencies as required.

About us

Clinical

Initiate patient triage to be able to manage patient lists independently

Undertake asymptomatic screening in fast track clinics and be able to order routine bloods/investigations and have a basic understanding of normal and altered values.

Undertake a designated range of patient assessments such as reviewing a medical history and reporting any changes to the clinical team.

Utilise clinical skills appropriately to enhance the delivery of patient care e. g. Venepuncture, immunisation and provision of medication under direction of Patient Specific Directions (PSDs).

Manage and maintain own treatment lists for Chlamydia and a range of routine contraceptions, with use of PSDs.

Manage and administer cryotherapy treatment where appropriate to relevant and appropriate patients.

Undertake partner notification (PN) and/or support patients to use online e-PN.

Assess those patients with special needs such as those under 16 and discuss with clinical team where appropriate and , ensuring all necessary safeguarding procedures are undertaken according to Trust and local service guidelines

Manage recall of patients such as Hepatitis A/B & HPV vaccinations, repeat Chlamydia testing and Depo Provera injection.

Function as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team

Chaperone as required including assistance in LARC clinics

Maintain clear concise and legible documentation adhering to prescribed standards and protocols

Use IT systems for relevant tasks g . accessing patient records & results, requesting investigations, data collections.

Obtain consent in accordance with Trust Consent Policy

To maintain a patient orientated approach towards care delivery and to plan and deliver high standards of care (in conjunction with relevant professionals where appropriate)

Undertake a designated range of interventions (according to protocol) to promote patient wellbeing e.g. smoking cessation, obesity, alcohol intervention and safe sex practices.

Recognise the need for referral and undertake appropriate referrals to nurse practitioner &/or services within the NHS, independent & voluntary sectors

Undertake, monitor & record the following basic observations:-

- Temperature, Blood pressure, Pulse, Respiration

- With readings outside of normal parameters referred/discussed appropriately within the clinical team

Undertake pregnancy testing according to clinical protocols liaising with clinical team where appropriate according to clinical guidelines.

Work alongside axess outreach practitioners in the community where appropriate.

Leadership/Interpersonal

• To maintain health, safety and security and report any concern
• To maintain patient confidentiality at all times
• To contribute to effective communications with patients, relatives and members of the Sexual Health team
• To acknowledge own limitations and to work with the confines of the remit of the assistant practitioner and the knowledge and skills framework
• To supervise others relevant to grade and participate in their education and development
• To ensure effective and efficient use of physical resources
• To contribute to the development of services

Education and Development

• To develop and maintain own clinical skills and knowledge using a competency framework to ensure effective care delivery
• To ensure compliance with mandatory training and personal development plans
• To adopt a lifelong learning approach to developments and maintain a portfolio of practice and development
• To contribute to the assessment and development of others where appropriate
• Participate in the induction and orientation of newly appointed staff and students to the team.
• To assist in and promote evidence based care

Clinical Governance

• To ensure compliance with policies and procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others
• Maintain the work environment in line with infection control policies
• To report any concern regarding patient care
• Identify risk issues which could affect patient care
• Undertake risk assessments where appropriate
• To participate in patient and public involvement activities
• Support and promote peoples equality, diversity and rights
• To participate in audit & research, benchmarking and any other initiatives as required
• Conform to safe practices