JOB PURPOSE
To report social, biographic and clinical data relating to HIV, Syphilis and related diseases from Perinatal and/or Pediatric and/or Adolescent clients;
To monitor the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis in Kingston.
OBJECTIVE
To ensure that the eMTCT guidelines (Option B+) as stipulated by WHO for HIV& Syphilis positive mothers are being met at the respective Treatment Sites so as to prevent the risk of transmission to the unborn child.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
- Responsibility for compliance with the eMTCT protocols, good clinical and applicable regulations
- Home visits
- Database entry within 72 hours of child/neonate attending clinic
- Assist the relevant medical officer in coordinating the evaluation and treatment of clients
- Facilitate periodic monitoring and/or Quality Control visits/audits
- Ensure proper storage and security of eMTCT data
- Contact and follow up patients, their families and other groups via telephone
- Interview and educate clients within the programme, while maintaining strictest confidentiality
- Assist in performing testing (e.g., Rapid HIV and syphilis testing) for clients
- Conduct post-test counseling with clients
- Conduct physical examination of perinatal, pediatric and adolescent clients in clinics and wards
- Identify clinical signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and related diseases and conduct necessary referral
- Assist the specialist medical officer in conducting initial assessments of all newly referred HIV positive and/or Syphilis reactive pregnant women in high-risk clinic
- Counsel women and adolescents regarding HIV and Syphilis, HIV and Syphilis testing, implications for their pregnancy, and the challenges of living with HIV
- Assist with implementing SOPs for the treatment and prophylaxis of pregnant women and POC testing on the Labor ward
- Monitor stocks of rapid test kits for HIV/Syphilis, HAART/ Penicillin
- Educate women regarding the benefits of antiretroviral prophylaxis and Syphilis treatment
- Assist the physician in assessing and preparing patients for HIV and Syphilis treatment and/or prophylaxis against HIV, syphilis and opportunistic infections
- Monitor clinical status and adherence to antiretroviral prophylaxis and Syphilis treatment, and provide continuing counseling and support during regular follow-up visits to the high-risk antenatal clinics
- Assess and assist in addressing potential barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy and Syphilis treatment
- Monitor syphilis treatment and post treatment testing during pregnancy and/or postpartum
- Ensure that treatment for HIV and Syphilis is provided as per protocol.
- Ensure that other treatment is provided as indicated for complications of HIV, Syphilis or pregnancy.
- Teach the principles of pill-swallowing to pediatric subjects
- Perform intensive follow-up to support and educate families, while monitoring adherence to clinic visits, investigations, medications, and viral response, as appropriate
- Enter key clinical data, biographic and demographic information into the programme data system
- Initiate efforts to find and counsel women who are delinquent for appointments, utilizing as needed, the services of local Contact Investigators and CHAs assigned to the HIV/STI/TB Programme
- See, whenever possible, women with HIV and Syphilis who are in labour, or postpartum
- Provide HIV exposed infants with antiretroviral prophylaxis and nutritional support in collaboration with the specialist medical officer and nutritionists
- Obtain blood for HIV virologic diagnosis by PCR/DBS at 4-6 weeks and 3 months after the first test.
- Obtain blood for confirmatory serologic testing at 18 months and send to NPHL with necessary follow up
- Provide Syphilis exposed infants with appropriate follow up until 18 months of age so as to ensure no clinical manifestations of Syphilis
- Assist in training of staff at antenatal clinics, labour and delivery ward, and postpartum areas in HIV and Syphilis testing, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, care of the HIV positive and/or Syphilis reactive woman, and referral of children, adolescents and pregnant women.
- Teach all staff the duty of respecting patient confidentiality and providing compassionate care to the HIV positive woman
- Measure body weight, height, fundal height and other measurements, as appropriate.
- Attend and actively participate in relevant committee and team meetings
- Travel to conferences and participates in other educational activities, as assigned (e.g.. at the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities, UWI)
- Any other job related duties to pediatric, perinatal and adolescent HIV/AIDS & Syphilis which may be assigned
- Evaluation and Treatment of clients coordinated within the required timeframe
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual pMTCT reports submitted by stipulated deadlines
- Detailed Summary Report of the HIV Positive Child submitted
- Data System updated with visits and key clinical, biographic and demographic information
- Overall supervision will be provided by the SMO, BHC
- Direct supervision in by the Director of Nursing Services (DNS)
- The Officer shall report indirectly to the Paediatric HOD, BHC
- Indirectly reports to the Regional HIV/STI/Tb Coordinator
- Indirectly reports to the KSA SMO(H) and STT MO(H)
- Performs other related functions assigned
- Paediatricians
- Obstetricians
- Social workers,
- Pharmacist,
- Psychologist,
- Case Manager,
- Adherence Councilors
- Physicians,
- Administrative Assistants,
- Data Manager,
- Other PMTCT nurses,
- Staff in Antenatal and Paediatric Clinics, Labor Wards, Postnatal Wards, Emergency Room, Medical Records, Labs, Center for HIV/AIDS Research Education and Services (CHARES), Family Health Unit, Ministry of Health (MoH), Regional Health Authorities inclusive of their care facilities, the Project Coordination Unit of the HIV/STI/Tb Unit MoH, and other related organizations.
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
- Registered Nurse (RN) with the Nursing Council of Jamaica
- Certified Nurse mid-wife or Certified Nurse in HIV/AIDS care with at least three (3) years’ experience in general nursing
- Previous experience in counseling, phlebotomy, research, or public health nursing is an asset.
- Be knowledgeable of Jamaica’s HIV response and the eMTCT Initiative
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office & Google Docs
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge in Infection Control Guidelines and practices
- Basic knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety
- Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information
- Strict confidentiality must be maintained at all times
- May be required to work beyond normal working hours in order to meet deadlines
- Is required to work in conditions where strict guidelines are provided on disposal of used equipment; sterility of equipment for sample collection and wearing protective clothing (e.g., gowns, gloves and masks).
Applications with curricula vitae are to be submitted to:
The Director,Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations,
South East Regional Health Authority,
The Towers, 2nd Floor,
25 Dominica Drive,
Kingston 5.
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