Care and Support Specialist at Georgetown University Center for Global Health Practice and Impact (CGHPI)

Locations: Bauchi (3), Jigawa (2) and Kano (5)
Employment type: Full-time

Job Overview

• HIV care and support specialists will be responsible for HIV care and support services. They will coordinate with other stakeholders to ensure enrollment and provision of requisite services to all enrolled HIV subpopulations.
• They will ensure HIV care and service provision at the facility and community and level is designed to demonstrate attribution to the 95:95:95 epidemic control goal.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the thematic areas focal person for TB/HIV, Adult ART, or Pediatrics & Adolescent care in their designated state
• Works with the clinical specialist and cluster lead to effective design care and support strategies for all sites and communities within the cluster, such as:
  • Mentoring of healthcare workers on HIV Care & Support services
  • ART service delivery at all sites
  • Effective appointment and tracking systems
  • Effective Differentiate service delivery models
  • Effective retention strategies
  • Effective management of comorbidity
  • VL management
• Supervises the care & support officers & associates within their assigned clusters
• Monitors and coordinates the daily patient care activities of the unit; schedules staff and patients always to ensure complete coverage of patient care needs and provide adequate patient services.
• Provides technical guidance to ACE partner CSOs in the implementation of technical program activities for community-based HIV Care and Support
• Provides triage advice and guidance to physicians and staff referring patients to the clinic; oversees patient evaluation and treatment decisions.
• Collaborate closely with the ACE team to roll out and implement an integrated and holistic community-based response to HIV / AIDs towards scaling up access to HIV prevention and care services
• Provide technical input for developing strategies, design, and implementation of HIV Prevention / Care & Support activities; ensure activities improve access to HIV prevention and care services amongst project beneficiaries.
• Coordinates services with other patient care units as required; maintains communication with allied services; and maintains community liaison as appropriate.
• Direct CSOs towards overall technical quality - including adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines for all HIV Prevention Care & Support activities of the project.
• Support strategies towards ensuring that project activities are built on solid behavior change principles and build the capacity of CSOs and relevant GON staff in effective implementation and monitoring.
• Work closely with the SMOH, SACA, and HIV TWGs in the state in identifying and capitalizing on leverage points for improved linkages and referral coordination at the community level and integration of HIV prevention care & support elements into ACE project activities
• Oversees and provides direct nursing evaluation and/or other related care and consultation to patients as required.
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in implementing HIV Prevention, Care and Support programs. A master in a health related discipline is an added advantage
• Experience in supporting HIV Testing and Counselling programs in health facilities, mobile units, and community outreaches
• Good knowledge of Government of Nigeria HIV Care and Treatment guidelines and experience working with Ministry of Health and other relevant entitles

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and civil society partners and communities
• Viable knowledge transfer techniques to diverse audiences through workshops, training, and meetings using participatory methods and adult learning principles
• Knowledge and understanding of HAT services structure, workflow, and operating procedures
• Ability to conduct patient evaluation and triage procedures

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Proficient use of Microsoft office for documenting and reporting
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community
• Advanced nursing, management and supervision skills
• Fluency in English and local language