JOB PURPOSE
- To report social, biographic and clinical data relating to HIV, Syphilis and related diseases from Perinatal and/or Paediatric and/or Adolescent clients;
- To monitor the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis within the assigned Parish.
- Provide cross-coverage to other parishes within the region as the need arises.
OBJECTIVE
- To ensure that the eMTCT guidelines 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.
LOCATION
- The officer will be stationed at the designated Secondary Care facility offering eMTCT services.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
- Responsibility for compliance with the eMTCT protocols, good clinical and applicable regulations
- Discuss the classification, testing and treatment of HIV exposed infants (HEIs), Syphilis exposed infants (SEIs), HIV and Syphilis antenatal clients with the consultant Obstetrician and Paediatricians ensuring a team approach to management.
- 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
- Enter key clinical data, biographic and demographic information into the programme data system
- 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, paediatric 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, conduct HIV and Syphilis testing, implications for their pregnancy, and the challenges of living with HIV
- Assist with implementing standard operating procedures for the treatment and prophylaxis of pregnant women and point of care testing on the Labor Ward
- Monitor stocks of rapid test kits for HIV/Syphilis, HAART and 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 paediatric subjects
- Perform intensive follow-up to support and educate families, while monitoring adherence to clinic visits, investigations, medications, and viral response, as appropriate
- 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 from the infant for HIV virologic diagnosis by PCR/DBS at 4-6 weeks and 3 months after the first test
- Obtain blood from the infant 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 participate in other educational activities, as assigned (e.g. at the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities, UWI)
- Any other job related duties to paediatric, perinatal and adolescent HIV/AIDS & Syphilis which may be assigned
KEY OUTPUTS
- 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
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
- Overall supervision will be provided by the SMO
- The Officer shall report indirectly to the Paediatric and Obstetric Head of Departments
- Indirectly reports to the Regional HIV/STI/TB Coordinator
- Indirectly reports to the MO (H) coordinating the HIV/STI/TB programme
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs other related functions assigned by both the direct and indirect supervisors
COLLABORATING RELATIONSHIPS
- Paediatricians
- Obstetricians
- Social workers
- Pharmacist
- Psychologist
- Case Manager
- Adherence Councilors
- Physicians
- Administrative Assistants
- Data Manager
- Other PMTCT nurses
- Staff in Antenatal and Paediatric Clinics, Labour Wards, Postnatal Wards, Emergency Room, Medical Records, Labs, Center for HIV/AIDS Research Education and Services (CHARES), Family Health Unit, Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), Regional Health Authorities inclusive of their care facilities, the Project Coordination Unit of the HIV/STI/TB Unit MoHW, and other related organizations.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- 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.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND SPECIALIZED TECHNIQUES
- Be knowledgeable of Jamaica’s HIV response and the eMTCT Initiative
- Knowledge in Infection Control Guidelines and practices
- Basic knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office & Google Docs
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB
- 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 (g., gowns, gloves and masks).
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Interested persons should submit their application letter along with resume no later than
May 20, 2022 via email to jobapplications.moh@gmail.com
Applications must be addressed to:
The Senior Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
10a Chelsea Avenue, Kingston 5
We thank all candidates for responding, however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.