Zimbabwe Health Interventions (ZHI)

Deadline: 12 February 2021

Location: Mutare

Type of contract: Fixed Term Contract

About

Zimbabwe Health Interventions is a not-for-profit human development organisation which is registered as a Trust under the Zimbabwe Deeds Registries Act (Chapter 20:05). ZHI’s mission is to develop and deliver innovative and sustainable high impact integrated health interventions with local communities while working with and strengthening existing institutions.

Basic function

The Cervical Cancer Cervix Nurse (CCN) will be responsible for the implementation of high-quality cervical cancer screening and treatment to increase access to screening and treatment services for women living with HIV. The CCN is a registered nurse seconded to cervical cancer or VIAC (Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Cervicography) clinics within designated public health care facilities. The Ca Cervix Nurse will be assigned to work at a health facility under the guidance and technical supervision of the health facility leadership team and directly reporting to the designated Nurse-in-Charge.

Job description

The main responsibilities for the CCN will be to provide cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous lesions for women living with HIV (WLHIV) as guided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC); In consultation with the client, the CCN will develop a treatment plan for each client, that includes subsequent follow-up and necessary investigations; To manage and report ALL adverse events experienced by the client during screening and treatment accordingly; To refer all clients in need of LEEP or clients with suspected invasive cervical cancer to the next level of care and ensure that the client completes the referral by conducting the necessary follow- up; To ensure that that all clients receive the best quality care and treatment services in line with national guidelines and internationally recognised best pracices; To work with the health care workers at the health facility to identify HIV positive women between the ages of 25-65 years eligible for cervical cancer screening; register eligible clients in the electronic and paper-based registers before client is screened; Conduct VIAC for each client in a safe, private, confidential and dignified environment for every client; Offer treatment to clients with STIs, cervicitis or genital ulcer disease incidentally diagnosed during the screening process; Working with other facility and community-based health care workers, the CCN is responsible for conducting educational awareness of cervical cancer within facilities and communities groups to enhance community knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions on cervical cancer; Demand creation for cervical cancer screening for women living with HIV, targeting WLHIV between 25-65 years, particularly leveraging on existing community and facility-based activities; Conduct outreach VIAC visits to screen women in hard to reach areas in consultation with the District Health Executive (DHE) and District HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator; Register all clients screened for cervical cancer in the provided standard MoHCC electronic and paper registers; and maintain and maintain an appropriate filing system for all client records as per MoHCC procedures; Prepare and submit monthly report on cervical cancer screening and treatment services provided. Using the relevant primary data sources, the nurse will be responsible for timeously collecting, compiling and reporting to MoHCC and ZHI; Facilitate linkage between cervical cancer screening and treatment, and HIV testing services, care and treatment including ART initiation, routine follow-up and monitoring of clients (including ensuring Viral Load tests) and provide adherence counselling.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

Proficiency in English and relevant local language (Shona, Ndebele); Knowledge of community health practices and general medical ethics; Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently within a team; working under minimal supervision, self-motivation and self-driven to achieve set goals and targets; Ability to analyse and report relevant activities; Sound knowledge of HIV care and treatment practices in Zimbabwe; Results oriented and able to meet project deliverables; Computer literacy is a must.

Qualifications

RGN/PCN or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; Certificate in Rapid HIV Testing and Counselling; Registration with Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and License to practice as a nurse in Zimbabwe; Motorbike riding experience is an added advantage; Training, knowledge and experience in cervical cancer screening and cervicography is a must; Training in Advanced HV management is an added advantage; Sound knowledge and experience in M&E is an added advantage.