Sexual Health Adviser

Role overview

John Hunter and Kobler Clinics are seeking a proactive and caring Sexual Health Adviser to join a busy, forward-looking sexual health service. The post requires strong interpersonal, communication and organisational abilities, together with confidence in working with a varied and often complex client group.

What the role involves

You will provide specialist guidance, education, information and counselling for people diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The role includes effective partner notification, assessment for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and autonomous management of a patient caseload. You will also deliver health promotion, support and behaviour-change interventions.

The position involves working with under-18s attending for assessment and safeguarding checks, so you must understand care pathways for young people and vulnerable adults and be comfortable coordinating referrals to statutory services such as social services, as well as voluntary external agencies. You will also maintain close working relationships with the hospital ward team to support newly diagnosed inpatients.

The health adviser team forms an important part of an expanded outreach service for underserved communities across RBKC.

Key duties

You will support clients diagnosed with STIs, including HIV, with information, partner notification, health promotion and risk reduction work. You will also provide short-term one-to-one intervention in a sexual health setting, particularly around risk reduction and behaviour change, and offer time-limited support to people newly diagnosed with HIV.

Additional responsibilities include leading on complex areas such as safeguarding, substance use, psychosexual concerns and mental health, strengthening partnerships with RBKC organisations that support underserved communities, and taking on project work agreed with the senior sexual health adviser.

Trust information

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is among England’s highest-performing and safest trusts. It runs two major acute hospital sites — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital — together with award-winning clinics across North West London.

The Trust employs nearly 7,500 staff and serves a diverse population of 1.5 million people. Its services include maternity, emergency care, children’s services, and specialist HIV and sexual health provision. The Care Quality Commission has rated the Trust as Good for safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding for leadership and use of resources.

The organisation continues to invest in its facilities, including a £30 million critical care expansion at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80 million Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

Working arrangements and employment terms

The Trust is open to flexible working requests wherever these can be accommodated to support both staff and patient needs. Some positions may require weekend working across multiple sites.

All applicants are considered fairly regardless of background, and reasonable adjustments can be arranged for disabled candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as the vacancy may close once enough applications have been received. If you do not hear back within three weeks of the closing date, your application should be considered unsuccessful.

Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Contact for informal enquiries

Name: Zoch Nwaosu
Job title: Senior Health Adviser - John Hunter and Kobler
Email: zoch.nwaosu@nhs.net
Telephone: 0203 315 6961

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will be motivated and enthusiastic, with excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills, and the ability to work confidently with a complex client group in a fast-paced and innovative sexual health environment.

Eligibility and qualifications

You should hold a degree in Psychology, Health Promotion, or another relevant health-related subject. Alternatively, applicants may be a registered general nurse or mental health nurse at first level (RGN/RMN), or hold a CQSW qualification. Previous experience as a Sexual Health Adviser in a GUM clinic or a similar UK setting is also required.

Additional notes

Some duties may involve working across different locations and on weekends. The service also contributes to outreach work supporting underserved communities in RBKC.