Counsellor Tester (Paediatric-Focused) at Heartland Alliance

Job Summary

The Pediatric Counsellor Tester will support active case finding of pediatric HIV clients within the age bracket of 0 to 15 years with the aim of linking HIV positive pediatric clients to care and treatment at designated treatment hubs to close the pediatric HIV treatment gaps in this population towards achieving epidemic control by reaching UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide HIV and other testing, counseling, education, and referral services to pediatric clients at ACE-6 sites, spoke sites, PHCs, TBAs and to the public through community events, outreach, and other collaborative agencies targeting the pediatric and adolescent age group.
• Support pediatric screening using risk stratification tools across supported sites and community posts.
• Support genealogy testing for 0-14 years across supported facilities and communities.
• Ensure same day linkage of all identified positives are linked to care with adequate care givers counselling.
• Provide linkage services to nearest hub sites for ART services through the pediatric focused case managers.
• Work with the Pediatric Focused Case Manager to support facility AHD screening and documentation is carried out for HIV positive clients above 5years.
• Educate caregivers and pediatric clients regarding diagnosis, medications, treatments, and follow-up.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to work effectively with populations that have experienced vulnerability, trauma, economic poverty, incarceration, substance use, development delays, literacy issues, and/or other conditions or situations that have impacted housing stability.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to be flexible and able to multi-task.
• Must be driven and solution-focused.

Required Qualifications:

• HIV/AIDS Certified Tester (Basics/Prevention of HIV Counseling, Testing, and Linkage to care) preferred with at least one-year experience in HIV related services preferably working with HIV+ population and/or population(s) at high risk for HIV infection.
• Minimum of SSCE; OND/BSc will be an added advantage

Other Competencies:

• Time Management – Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time and complete projects in a fast-paced, changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Cultural Sensitivity – Respects cultural environment in which person is working and does not act in a manner that is outwardly offensive to the local community.
• Non-discriminatory- Does not discriminate persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity, age, preferred jobs, or behavioral habits.

Language Skills:

• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Knowledge of Local Language will be an advantage