Clinical Mentor
Clinical Mentor, HIV/STI/Tb Unit
Background
Jamaica has an estimated prevalence of 1.6% among the general population. Based on modeled estimates and case based surveillance data, it is estimated that 29,000 persons are currently living with HIV in Jamaica. Approximately 84% of the estimated number is aware of their status. This is followed by a large gap in the continuum of care with 43% of those diagnosed on ARVs and 55% of those on treatment being virally suppressed.
In order to close the gaps in the continuum of care, and meet the targets set, the following issues must be addressed:
- Provide ongoing updates and support for clinical staff in medical management
- Increase access to antiretroviral medication at public and private pharmacies
- Maximizing use of the database to provide accurate and timely data to inform programme management at the site and regional levels
- The lack of information being provided to and gathered from the private practitioners and laboratories who manage PLHIV
- Issue of Stigma & Discrimination at the treatment sites, among clinical, administrative and ancillary staff
Although programmes are in place to address each of these problems, many of the gaps identified must be addressed at the facility level. A clinical mentor in HIV care is a clinician with substantial expertise in antiretroviral therapy and opportunistic infections who can provide ongoing mentoring to less-experienced HIV clinical providers by offering onsite training which includes consultation on basic and complex clinical cases and assisting in case management. Clinical mentors also provide advice on issues related to the clinic site as well as private providers of service including quality improvement issues. This mentoring occurs during site visits as well as via telephone and e-mail consultation.
Reporting Relationship
The Clinical Mentor will report directly to the Director, Treatment Care & Support of the HIV/STI/Tb Unit.
Qualifications
- A Medical Doctor with at least 5 years experience in STI/HIV Management
- Certification in HIV Management
Responsibilities
- Supervise the members of the site mentoring team, coordinating schedules for visits (public and private sector)
- Meet with treatment site coordinators/private providers to assess site needs in order to plan activities for the site mentoring team
- Provide ongoing mentoring to less-experienced HIV clinical providers by offering onsite training which includes consultation on basic and complex clinical cases and assisting in case management.
- Provide advice on issues related to the clinic/private site including quality improvement (QI) issues. This mentoring will occur during site visits as well as via telephone and e-mail consultation.
- Be responsible for providing on-site training to less experienced clinicians on the treatment of HIV cases according to national guidelines, including adult and basic pediatric ART and the treatment of STI, tuberculosis and other opportunistic diseases.
- Conduct assessments of clinicians to record the progress of their training.
- Provide clinical consultations to physicians assisting them to problem-solve and helping them with direct patient care as needed.
- Provide guidance to other health care providers in HIV case management as well as direct patient care.
- Conduct didactic training sessions to groups of health professionals
- Assist with the update and revision of HIV-related training materials and national guidelines
- Assist in the development of standard operating procedures for the provision of HIV clinical care at treatment sites.
- Through a process of site visits and consultations, identify and recommend means of improving service delivery at HIV/STI treatment sites (public and private).
- Assist and encourage clinician involvement in QI activities
- Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of training/mentoring activities
- Submit monthly reports on training, meetings, and technical assistance activities, as well as pertinent findings and recommendations for strengthening services in the public treatment sites/private providers and compliance with the national treatment guidelines.
Other Responsibilities
Performs other related functions assigned from time to time by the Director, Treatment Care & Support, HIV/STI/Tb Unit.
Key Outputs
- Site Visit Schedules Prepared
- Clinical Consultations provided
- Monthly Reports submitted within the agreed timeframe
- Training Sessions Conducted as per approved workplan
- Preparation/Update of improvement plan for Clinicians
- Standard operating procedures for HIV clinical care prepared
Special Conditions
- Maybe required to work beyond normal working hours in order to meet deadlines.
- Will be required to travel island wide to execute job function.
- Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information
Note
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Contact
Director
Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health
10A Chelsea Avenue
Kingston 10
Base Salary: Undisclosed