Technical Advisor: Paeds&Adolescent at Anova Health Institute

Key duties and responsibilities: 

Technical assistance

• Facilitate improvement in early infant diagnosis and ART initiation in children across Sedibeng District though the regular review of PCR for action reports (NHLS) to identify gaps and implement QI projects to improve outcomes at facility level.
• Facilitate the sharing of PCR reports down to facility level to identify, trace and increase initiation of positive infants to ART.
• Facility improved Linkage to care and ART initiation in children by conduct monthly audits on the PCR for action reports and Tier.net
• Pre-ART and ART modules to ensure that HIV positive infants and children are initiated on ART, and ensure feedback on performance of the DIP indicators is of good quality.
• Facilitate the analysis the VL completion and suppression, identify the gaps and challenges, assist with the planning and implementation of QI plans to address the gaps.
• Provide targeted mentoring and direct service delivery for the management of complicated cases including clients failing 2nd line regimens in facilities.
• Provide technical assistance to facility based social workers to improve on the support and management of OVC’s affected by HIV and Children with unsuppressed viral loads.

Technical Assistance

• Providing capacity building for Anova and DOH nurses through in-service training on Paediatric HIV management, with a particular focus on the monitoring of VL and management of unsuppressed VL.
• Facilitate the improvement of clinical management of Children’s support groups (40), through capacitating the clinical staff, social workers and dieticians to assist the Family Free team to offer a comprehensive service.
• Facilitate training of Anova Nurse Mentors, DOH Facility staff on Disclosure, psychosocial support and Adherence support.
• Assist the Dietician with capacity building and in-service training on NACS in the Paediatric HIV cohort.

Stakeholder Management

• Ensure Anova is represented at appropriate forums within the Provincial and District to ensure that the quality and performance of the Paediatric HIV programme is appropriately monitored and improved.
• Work closely with the Senior Clinical Advisors to ensure appropriate involvement of the Anova clinical team.

Monitoring and evaluation

• Work with the M&E team to develop and analyse monthly dashboards on the clinical cascade for Paediatrics (0-10 years) and provide each sub-district with a report on the analysis assisting with identifying gaps and facilities that require more focus and direct service delivery related to the Paediatric HIV programme.
• Ensure all training and mentoring activities are appropriately recorded and captured onto the Anova internal database.
• Ensure appropriate use of Anova tools to ensure facility managers have a record of the assistance and support provided by Anova staff on the Paediatric HIV programme.

Reporting

• Compile Monthly /quarterly report to programme manager.
• Contribute to work plan implementation and development.
• Provide constant feedback on programme developments on weekly basis.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Degree or Diploma in a health-related field.
• Registration as a Professional Nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
• Clinical Assessment Treatment & Care (Nurse Clinician).
• NIMART trained and certified competency.
• Certificate in PC 101/Adult Primary Care and IMCI
• Diploma in HIV Management an advantage.
• At least 2 years post community service clinical experience managing HIV & TB infected children and adolescents in public health facilities.
• HIV management experience essential.
• Knowledge of latest HIV/TB/PMTCT guidelines essential.
• Knowledge of 959595 strategy and other Health related policies.
• Experience in training
• Registration with the professional body.
• Experience in managing children on ART.
• Experience in engaging with children and caregivers around Disclosure for children and adolescents.
• Computer literate.
• Driver’s license and willing to travel around Sedibeng.
• Interpersonal and Strong communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff.
• Presentation and ability to communicate technical and policy issues clearly and effectively.
• Demonstrate openness and flexibility in responding to changing work priorities and environment.