Linkage to Care Officers x 7 (Wits RHI) APACE Project (Free State) 5 Months Contract

Main Purpose Of The Job

• To ensure linkage to care of newly diagnosed people living with HIV from the testing point to ART care
• To provide support and maintain retention in the care of PLHIV on ART
• To manage the APACE inventory of source documents, manage data and coordinate tracking and tracing of patients that are unconfirmed/initially lost to follow-up and awaiting treatment

Location:

• Lejweleputswa District, Free State
• 1 x Tokologo
• 1 x Nala
• 1 x Tswelopele and Masilonyana
• 4 x Matjhabeng

Key Performance Areas

Provide services to ensure linkage and retention in the care of people living with HIV

• Support with demand creation and health promotion to market the services available in the health facility, including but not limited to risk reduction, ARVs, PrEP, Dablapmeds (and different treatment collection points), treatment adherence, and U=U messaging, Index testing, HIVSS nutrition, hygiene, and SRH
• Work with the case manager and data capturer to compile tracing lists for awaiting ART patients, missed appointments, missed or unsuppressed viral loads, CCMDD dormant and inactive, and PrEP continuation clients
• Conduct telephone tracing for the above
• Compile a list of patients traced telephonically and not linked to care for further tracing
• Assist facility teams to prepare for or be part of physical tracing as necessary
• Receive and direct patients that have been traced to welcome them back into care and link them to specialized support as relevant
• Receive and direct clients referred for ART initiation from community teams
• Support clients with appointment reminders and making appointments for follow-up visits
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times

Record Keeping

• Record and maintain a record of active and dormant files in the facility
• Keep a record of your own performance

Maintenance of Electronic Clinical Records Systems

• Assist with back and live capturing of HPRS in the facility
• Assist with patient registration on HPRS or headcount register
• Capture patient appointment reminders on the SMS portal
• Retrieve ART files and validate on [URL Removed] and or pass them on to the Wits RHI data capture to do so

Administration and data management

• Document and submit daily and weekly feedback reports on outcomes of tracking and tracing to the clinicians and data clerks for updating clinical stationery and capturing in [URL Removed] the tracking and tracing data for ART initiation or follow-up visits for HIV/TB patients, including source documents and database updates
• Together with the data clerk and admin officer retrieve files of patients appearing on the lists above to confirm missed appointments

Implement the NDoH Guideline for filing and archiving of patient Records in Primary Healthcare Facilities

• Apply the Wits RHI SOP which supports the different steps of Clinical Records Management
• Ensure that active and dormant clinical records are separated frequently as directed by the policy and or guidance from the Facility Manager
• At frequent intervals, retrieve ART files and have them validated on [URL Removed] as part of improving data quality
• Serve to ensure that clinical records are always filled properly
• Perform and adhere to the facility pre-retrieval of patient records per appointment system
• Ensure that post-patient visit, all records are refiled
• Ensure that all newly registered patients have correct files with proper stationery
• Maintain close communication with the DOH Senior Administration Clerk and Wits RHI teams in the facility
• Communicate positively and openly with patients that are querying about their clinical records

Self-awareness and Self- Management

• Work effectively without constant supervision
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrates effective self-management
• Take ownership for self-development
• Work harmoniously with all stakeholders and escalate challenges to the Nurse Lead/Sub-district Manager/Project Manager
• Develop the attitude and aptitude to learn from mistakes and other people

Required Minimum Education And Training

• Grade 12
• Computer literacy

Required Minimum Work Experience

• Previous demonstrable tracking and tracing experience in a health facility
• At least 6 months of administrative experience in a health facility
• Ability to work within a team
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Basic computer skills

Desirable Additional Education, Work Experience, And Personal Abilities

• Working knowledge of patient movement in a facility, and linkage and referral systems within a health system
• Knowledge of [URL Removed] HPRS, or any other System used within the health system and experience with counseling HIV and TB patients are an added advantage

Demands Of The Job

• Able to work under pressure
• Communication with patients by telephone or text on evenings or weekends may be required
• Escorting patients from one point to the other in a health facility to ensure direct linkage and return to care

Communications And Relationships

• Build relationships with the community tracing team and other organizations that we support, including the Department of Health and Ward based outreach teams (WBOTS)
• Maintain good interpersonal relationships with other partners and stakeholders
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients that are lost to care return to care

NB: Kindly note that preference will be given to candidates from the Lejweleputswa District

To Apply

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 19 May 2023.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please Note

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.

Desired Skills

• Communication
• Communities
• Computing
• Healthcare
• Medical

About The Employer

BackgroundThe Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is a renowned African-led research institute that seeks solutions to Africa's health [URL Removed] is located within the University of the Witwatersrand and addresses some of the greatest public health concerns affecting our region, including HIV and its related problems, sexual and reproductive health, and vaccinology.