Therapeutic Staff Position Description February 2010
Location:
NZAF Burnett Centre Auckland
Hours of Work:
15 Hours per week
Responsible to:
Northern and Midland Regional Manager
Responsible for:
Own Professional practice
The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) has an expectation that all staff will:
Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, our work principles that are based on the philosophy of health promotion (hauora) outlined in the World Health Organisation’s Ottawa Charter (1986
Agree and work with the NZAF's stated vision, mission, purpose, values and goals (as stated in our Strategic Plan), and to abide by our operational policies and procedures.
Comply with all health and safety procedures to ensure their own safety and the safety of others in the workplace and actively participate in maintaining a safe working environment at NZAF.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Contributing to the independence and quality of life of NZAF clients by providing the highest standards of therapeutic service delivery, as well as addressing sexual behaviour and the promotion of a safe sex message as part of the testing services on offer.
JOB ENVIRONMENT
This Part time position is located at the Burnett Centre and has responsibility for the delivery of therapeutic services. Other Regional Offices are maintained in Christchurch and Wellington with the National office being based in Auckland
Positive Health Services are committed to be responsive to all people infected or affected by HIV, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation while being aware that MSM (men who have sex with men) are the core group affected within Aotearoa New Zealand. While Recognition is also given to the growing need of positive migrants within the heterosexual communities who have acquired HIV/AIDS before migration to New Zealand.
The service focuses on providing free and confidential HIV and syphilis testing, counselling/psychotherapy/ social work support and information to people living with HIV and or AIDS and their significant others, promoting a safe sex message to all and utilising a health promotion model to challenge unsafe sexual behaviours. With appropriately targeted staff employed to better meet this goal.
NZAF is a non government organisation and has been in existence since 1985. The legal structure is a charitable Trust with a Board of Trustees and employees are members of the Foundation with the right to vote at its annual general meeting and on any other matter referred to the membership.
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Overall responsibility for Positive Health Services lies with the Director Positive Health
The Northern and Reports to The Central and Southern Regional Manger who will Midland Regional provide operational Guidance and supervision Manager Relationships with: • Other Staff Members of Positive Health Services • Therapeutic staff Leader • Director Positive Health • Staff Members from HIV Prevention • Staff Members from Social marketing • Staff Members from African Prevention • Senior Researcher • Librarian
EXTERNAL General
The Therapeutic Staff member collaborates with individuals and organisations in the region in order to ensure relevant services are offered to those Living with or affected by HIV
Health providers
Peer Groups
Maintaining collaborative working relationships with other HIV and AIDS health service providers and agencies allied health and health related services, such as sexual health, infectious diseases., PHO`s and local iwi health providers
Maintaining a good working relationship with the peer support support organisations within the identified regions.
The NZAF works with other organisations and individuals involved Other Organisations with the issues related to sexual health, HIV and AIDS and Hauora. NZAF staff are expected to contribute positively to the maintenance of effective working relationships with these groups.
KEY TASKS
Therapeutic Delivery •
Contributing towards better health outcomes. Casework that aims at a high standard of professional practice and focuses on HIV and/or AIDS health and relationship needs of clients and their families/partners.
Manage a counselling /psychotherapy clinical caseload working individually with clients.
•
Addressing any unsafe sexual practices
Provide counselling/ psychotherapy for those infected or affected by HIV, including brief intervention when clinically necessary
•
Ensuring that Counselling / psychotherapy support needs of those affected by HIV and/or AIDS are met in a timely manner.
Maintain excellent clinical documentation and client data recording.
•
The counsellor / psychotherapist operate in a cohesive and coordinated way, ensuring of access and quality of care for clients.
•
Clinical data is recorded in a consistent manner in line with NZ Legislation and demonstrates sound knowledge of PHD database system.
•
Positive Health staff are provided with opportunities to develop improved cultural competency in their operational service delivery
•
Demonstrate an understanding of Tikanga
•
Operational plan input is drafted and discussed with the regional manager by the end of May at the latest.
Deliver a testing service utilising nzaf Fastest policies. Ensuring risk assessment and post test guidance is given
Biculturalism Contribute to NZAF’s progress towards cultural competency and commitment to biculturalism by ensuring key events and relationship management approaches ensures full and active participation and effective relationships with Maori Planning and Reporting Have input into the Development of, annual operational plan. Work with Regional managers to prepare reports relating to therapeutic issues as needed
Service Liaison Provide HIV and/or AIDS education to other health professionals and key groups where appropriate, in consultation with the Regional Manager and HIV prevention programme manager
•
Effective relationships with relevant individuals and agencies, including external service providers demonstrating developing opportunities for enhancing the delivery of the region’s health services
•
Regular formal and informal liaison meetings demonstrate positive outcomes for clients and the service
•
Have input into the implementation and effectiveness of quality systems including policies and procedures, audits, and quality improvement initiatives taking an active role in quality accreditation process in the future.
Sufficient funds are raised to adequately fund the NZAF wellness fund for positive people living in New Zealand.
Awareness is raised of HIV and AIDS
Practice according to the professional standards and ethics of relevant professional group (NZ associations of counsellor/psychotherapists/social workers) as well as the NZAF code of ethical conduct and policies.
NZAF provides Clinical supervision under contract, the staff member must ensure that this is accessed
Quality Promote quality as an important individual responsibility by encouraging participation in quality improvement projects, staff Training and orientation practices.
Fundraising Engage in activities that assist the organisation in its endeavours to raise funds or awareness of HIV and AIDS.Such as World AIDS day, Candlelight Memorial or the big Gay Out . Professional Ensuring safe clinical practice is maintained by self and staff.
Other Support the Regional Manager assisting in the provision of special services and Projects.
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Undertake tasks that assist the Regional Manager or Director or in the promotion of the service.
SUPPORT Supervision The Northern and Midland Regional Manager is responsible for ensuring that the post holder understands their role and tasks, and is supported in carrying them out. Supervision meetings will occur at least monthly, and on an ad hoc basis as needed by either party. Clinical supervision A suitable clinical supervisor will be agreed to and contracted to the NZAF to provide regular individual supervision. Performance Appraisal Performance appraisal according to NZAF model which includes self, peer, and manager assessment will be carried out annually, will include a work plan and may be linked to a performance based salary review. Professional Development The value and advantage of education and staff development for both the worker and the NZAF is recognised. Adequate training, information and assistance will be provided to ensure that the post holder is able to meet the responsibilities of the position.