About

AHF is an international humanitarian organization operating in Zimbabwe, collaborating with the Ministry of Health & Child Care to create centres of excellence (COEs) in health. AHF is looking for Primary Counsellors to fill positions that have arisen in Gwanda and Mpilo, Bulawayo. The successful candidates will be expected to provide HIV testing services, facilitate linkage, and demand creation for HIV testing among other responsibilities.

Position summary

The AHF Primary Counsellors will work under the direct supervision of the OI Department in Charge at Hospitals - OI clinics and overall, under the AHF Prevention Manager who is based at the Country Head Office. These positions are critical as the Primary Counsellors will be responsible for performing the rapid HIV testing on all clients that have consented to testing using the recommended algorithm. S/he will ensure the provision of direct and comprehensive primary, preventive, and psychosocial care to patients. In addition, the Primary Counsellor will Facilitate education on condom use including condom demonstration. Overall, the Primary Counsellor will support the existing staff at the facility.

Description & main responsibilities

AHF primary Counsellor will be expected to: Provides pre and post HIV confidential counselling and testing, to all patients willing to have the HIV test done; Encourages and support patients that test positive, helping them to cope with the new diagnosis; Participates in Rapid HIV testing program initiatives and outreaches; Facilitate group test counselling / education in rapid testing campaigns to ensure maximum client coverage; Ensuring that condom dispensers are replenished at the sites; Ensuring that HIV IEC materials are available on testing sites; Collaborate with other health care professionals (doctor, nurse, social worker, community health care worker, home-based caregiver, and psychologist) in maintaining treatment protocol; Teach and counsel patients & family on disease prevention and staying healthy; Assist patients with adherence counselling and document the session in counselling form; Provide ongoing psychosocial counselling to clients attending the clinic; Assist with the reading and interpretation of the CD4 count results to clients; Maintain filing system for all client records including psychosocial forms, laboratory results and medical records.

Qualifications

The Primary Counsellor must hold a Certificate in HIV Rapid Testing or Certificate in HIV Testing and Counseling; He / she should have at least one year of experience in the related field; The position holder should be sensitive to the patient population and issues surrounding HIV / AIDS.