Sexual Health Adviser
What is the work like?
Sexual health advisers provide information, advice and counselling to patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). They play a key role in helping the patient understand and manage their condition.
As a sexual health adviser, you would work with individuals and groups affected by sexual health issues in general and STIs (including HIV) in particular. An important part of your work would be to offer advice to help prevent and minimise the risks of infection.
The job can vary a lot from clinic to clinic, but would typically include:
- advising patients on precautions to take with current partners
- tracing and contacting previous partners who may have been exposed to the STI
- promoting sexual health
- counselling patients
- teaching and training
- carrying out research
- compiling local statistics
- keeping up to date with the latest health research and policies.
You may also be involved in the national screening programme for chlamydia infection.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would often be a qualified nurse or health visitor, although you could come from other backgrounds such as social work, psychology or counselling. There is no single specific training course to qualify as a sexual health adviser – you will usually study to degree level or higher in your profession, and then choose to specialise in sexual health.
From September 2008 some universities will offer a sexual health advising pathway as part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Programme for qualified nurses, although this is not yet compulsory.
Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting is essential. You will have an advantage with specialist experience in areas such as:
- counselling patients (either face to face or by telephone)
- clinical and psychosocial aspects of STIs, HIV or related sexual health issues
- health education and promotion with individuals and groups.
See the related profiles for information on how to start in healthcare or counselling-related careers.
What further training and development can I do?
Any in-service training you might need will vary depending on your professional background and past experience.
As a qualified nurse working in sexual health advice, you may be able to take postgraduate training at a university, possibly through the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Programme.
Several Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) offer relevant courses in sexual health issues, treatments and counselling skills through their sexual health training teams.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08000 150850Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are around £22,500 a year.
- With experience you can earn up to £37,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job in the NHS, you would generally work 37.5 hours a week. Part-time posts are often available.
You would normally be based in a Genito-Urinary Medicine or sexual health clinic, although there may be some outreach work involved.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- in-depth understanding of sexual health issues
- good spoken and written communication skills
- good organisational and time management skills
- project management skills
- the ability to network with a range of different organisations (public, private and voluntary)
- good research and analytical skills
- self-motivation
- tact and empathy
- respect for confidentiality.
What opportunities are there?
Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, in health service journals and on the NHS Jobs website.
With experience, you could progress to senior sexual health adviser. There may also be opportunities to move into a sexual health lead role for a PCT, implementing the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV at local level.
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
