Lay Counsellor x7

Lay Counsellor x7
Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Kasama, Chipata, Nakonde, Lusaka & Chirundu

John Snow Health Zambia, Limited

USAID Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II) Activity

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Lay Counsellor

Location: Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Kasama, Chipata, Nakonde, Lusaka & Chirundu

Category: Full-Time position

Reports to: Wellness Centre Coordinator

Background:

John Snow Health Limited (JSH), a public health organization dedicated to improving the provision of public health services in Zambia and the region, is recruiting for a Lay Counsellor for the USAID-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II). CHEKUP II aims to address the needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those most at risk of acquiring HIV and contribute to HIV mitigation and epidemic control. The program seeks to improve the health outcomes of key populations in the highest HIV-burden provinces of Zambia.

Position Summary:

The successful candidate will provide pre-test and post-test Counseling services to key population individuals and couples to help them have more effective psychological and behavioural adjustments and contribute to averting new HIV infections and to promote access to treatment, care and support in line with the approved national standards at the Wellness Centre and other congregate closed settings.

Responsibilities:

Increase Targeted HIV testing among populations at risk
Offer index testing services and partner notification services to 95% of all identified PLHIV
Ensure all HIV infected clients are linked to HIV care treatment and support services
Provide Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) first aid to key populations
Provide Key population preventive messages and link clients to preventive services, promote PrEP, and HIVST
Conduct targeted HIV counseling and testing including, HIV self -testing and Index testing
Follow up for missed appointment clients and re-engage them into care at Wellness Centres
Link all HIV infected clients to care treatment and support at the Wellness Centre
Participate the HIV clinical meetings at the Wellness Centre so that they are up to date with the latest information on HIV services delivery
Conduct treatment preparation and adherence counseling for KPs on ART
Entering data in the daily register each patient counselled
Achieve the weekly targets as assigned by the supervisor
Submit weekly reports to the supervisor at the Wellness Centre
Provide HTS at facility and community level and other out-of-facility sites whenever required
Promote HTS through health talks and by participating in social mobilization activities
Provide post-test counselling and adherence support to clients
Link HIV positive clients to facility for ARV initiation or mobile van
Trace all positive tested clients who were not initiated same day
Be available to assist all HIV patients in the facility and community with relevant counselling needs
Ensure that all clients tested HIV positive are linked into care and keep a record of how many are initiated on Antiretroviral treatment
Report challenges related to the referral system and linkage to care to Wellness Coordinator
Keep an updated record of number of clients who were offered HTS, tested, tested HIV positive, and linked into care, in line with tools used by CHEKUP II and record it daily in the approved registers
Attend weekly meetings with the supervisor
Any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor
Knowledge, abilities, skills required:

Adherence counselling skills training is vital for this position
Counselling of patients in their own language
Assist patients in making informed decisions
Reassuring patients about the confidentiality when doing pre-and post-counselling
Problem solving skills
Counselling skills
Ability to work under pressure
Ability to show empathy
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to communicate in local language
Ability to perform HIV counselling
Qualifications:

Trained in Psychosocial HIV counseling and testing
S/he should have a Grade 12 certificate with a certificate in Psychosocial Counseling
Must have a certificate of competence in Rapid HIV testing
Must be registered and have a valid practicing license with the Zambia Counseling Council
Willing to work with the Key Population
A KP individual will be an added advantage
Supervision and Reporting:

The Peer Promoter will work under the guidance and supervision of the Wellness Centre Coordinator.

How to Apply:

Please complete the application form available https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEBQl73UtJDnYc2kPXQNeuXFuHgfYCgJKe9V0FTCaI12ukxA/viewform. Applicants must submit a cover letter and CV with three references and full addresses and contact information via the application form

Please note that you only need to apply if you meet the minimum requirements. Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, kindly assume that your application was unsuccessful.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17th March, 2023