Adherence Counsellor

 The Jamaica Country Coordinating Mechanism for HIV/AIDS has received a three (3) year (January 2016 – December 2018) grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This grant will be managed by the Ministry of Health, the Principal Recipient which has contracted the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) as one of its implementing entities.  JASL and its sub-sub-recipients are seeking dedicated, dynamic, proactive and experienced individuals with strong team building skills to fill the following position: Adherence Counsellor

Locations: Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios

Reports to: Regional Programme Manager

Overall Objective

JASLs adherence counselling programme is aimed at enhancing adherence to anti-retroviral treatment (ARVs) for maximising treatment outcome. The programme seeks to:

• Supports clients in making informed choices on HIV treatment according to individual needs
• Assists clients in adopting drug adherence behaviour
• Enhance client’s ability to manage and maintain their treatment

Educational Qualifications

• First Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or Counselling

Experience

• Experience of at least three (3) years in HIV care and management 
• Experience working with key populations  
• Comprehensive knowledge of the scope and methods of social work

Summary of Duties

The Adherence Counsellor has responsibility to conduct comprehensive social investigations in order to identify the social, emotional and economic needs of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and initiative appropriate case management strategies.

 This includes:

• Determining treatment readiness of clients, characterise potential and actual barriers to adherence
• Provides relevant treatment knowledge and educational interventions
• Establishes a trusting and caring relationship with clients to achieve mutual understanding of the treatment goal

Specific Duties

• Conducts adherence and general counselling sessions with clients, individually and in group settings 
• Conducts home and hospital visits 
• Carry out initial counselling to newly diagnosed clients when they first attend clinic 
• Carry out on-going assessment to track clients’ knowledge of adherence, their understanding of the treatment process, and evaluate their readiness to initiate and adhere to their treatment regimen. 
• Conduct thorough assessment of potential and actual factors in clients’ lives that could influence drug adherence. These include: health status, social background, and clients’ perception of illness and treatment. 
• Provides treatment information, covering the nature of combination therapy, their availability, effects, and the importance of adherence. 
• Develop individualised treatment care plan and medication schedule 
• Discuss planned regimen with clients and obtain their agreement 
• Reinforce patients drug adherence behaviour 
• Work with client to identify support system which can be utilised to reinforce adherence  
• Monitor drug adherence level of client and manage adverse/side effects of medication 
• Review the treatment regimen and the medication schedule and simplify the regimen where necessary to facilitate a better match of schedule to life pattern. 
• Monitors clients use of medications based on prescriptions given 
• Prepare and maintain all required records on clients. 
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients treatment. 
• Make referrals to other JASL services or external medical services 
• Prepare and submit a monthly report to the Supervisor 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

• Confidential, open-minded, dependable and non-judgmental 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Good listening skills 
• Ability to analyse and solve problems. 
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 
• Ability to work professionally and cooperate with team members and representatives of other agencies. 
• Strong team player

Note

Locations: Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios 

 Special conditions associated with the job: Flexible working hours (including some Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays).

Applications along with resumes should be sent no later than January 21, 2016.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

The Executive Director
Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL)

3 Hendon Drive, 
Kingston 20
Jamaica

Email: infojasl2010@gmail.com

Base Salary: Undisclosed