Background: We are seeking highly qualified and experienced applicants to be considered for the position of Direct Service Delivery Nurse in Matabeleland North (Lupane x3, Tsholotsho x1, Umguza x1). We are a registered Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 125/23). Our activities occur primarily in the technical areas of health system strengthening; epidemiology and strategic information strengthening, health workforce development; operations research and evaluation; and prevention, care, and treatment of infectious diseases.
Position Summary: Providing direct client services by conducting HIV testing, initiating eligible clients on ART at healthcare facilities and in communities, and managing clients on ongoing ART through adherence support, monitoring of treatment response, and retaining them in care.
Duties and Responsibilities
-Conducting rapid HIV testing on all eligible clients who have consented by testing patients using point-of-care HIV tests as per testing algorithms to ensure fidelity. -Collecting DBS samples on HIV-exposed infants and counsel caregivers by discussing HIV exposure risks, importance of testing, and providing post-test counseling to caregivers. -Prescribing primary care drugs to all exposed infants by ensuring the correct dose is given according to infant age/weight. -Screening all HIV positive clients for TB and STIs, offering appropriate treatment and making appropriate referrals to physicians or specialized centers for the management of complicated cases. -Facilitating linkage between HIV testing, diagnosis, care, treatment, and support by supporting patients on the care and treatment cascade to adhere to visits, diagnostics, ART, and retention to long-term care. -Ensuring appropriate systems for same-day ART initiation after screening for opportunistic infections, deferring initiation for clients with TB cough of any duration by establishing standardized screening and assessment protocols to identify clients eligible for same-day initiation. -Providing routine follow-up and monitoring clients, including scheduling, collecting, and interpreting viral load results, and providing adherence support by ensuring clients are scheduled for routine monitoring appointments according to protocols. -Mobilising clients for mass viral load collection, offering counselling for viral load testing and ensuring all results for clients are properly filed and recorded in the client file. -Providing comprehensive support including EACs for clients with unsuppressed viral load and identifying defaulters by reviewing the Appointment Register to see which clients have missed scheduled visits. -Facilitating the formation and strengthening of community and family ART refill groups, (CARGs & FARGs) by identifying stable clients on treatment who can form and lead the core groups. -Participating in targeted community outreaches for key populations, offering them HIV testing services, STI and TB screening, and treatment by documenting the services provided in the relevant HTS, STI, and TB registers. -Offering PrEP, and condom distribution to HIV Negative clients as well as health education by identifying clients at substantial risk of HIV infection who would benefit from prevention services. -Conducting data analysis (yield and cascade analysis) by organizing the data to calculate HIV testing yields from different outreach activities and facilities. -Ordering drugs and clinic sundries at the facility level by reviewing current stock levels and consumption trends of medicines, test kits, and other supplies. -Promoting and providing HIVST kits for clients with partners of unknown status. -Performing any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
-Diploma in General Nursing or Primary Care Nursing and registered with the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe. -Valid Rapid HIV testing certificate is mandatory. -Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in the OIC department with MoHCC or health-related implementing partners. -Advanced HIV Management and Electronic Health Records Training. -Knowledge of ARV medications and HIV care and treatment guidelines is needed to have in-depth knowledge of national treatment protocols and standards of care. -Should possess excellent organizational interpersonal skills to manage patient flow, drug inventory and build rapport with patients, and collaborate professionally. -Be able to work as part of a team and support community activities.
How to Apply
Commitment to Diversity We recognize that disparities in health around the globe stem from inequity. Therefore, we encourage and support the multiple identities of staff including, but not limited to, socio-economic status, age, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity and expression, culture, spiritual practice, geography, mental and physical disability. We strive to become a local, national, and international leader in developing and maintaining increased representation and recognition of each of these dimensions of diversity among our staff.
How to Apply Interested candidates should submit their application letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, national ID, and certified copies of certificates indicating the position applied for to [email protected]
