HTS Counsellors at HJFMRI – 29 Positions

HTS Counsellors at HJFMRI – 29 Positions

September, 2023

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES – MBEYA

Join us in our efforts to strengthen and institutionalize monitoring and evaluation systems in SHL for efficient and effective HIV and AIDS resource mobilization.

About HJFMRI

The HJF Medical Research International, Inc Tanzania (HJFMRI-T) is a collaborative effort that supports PEPFAR-funded HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment activities in the Southern Highlands and within the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF) 21 facilities. HJF Medical Research International, Inc Tanzania (HJFMRI-T) is a local non-profit that has supported these efforts since 2004 through the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) as a Donor. PEPFAR activities are conducted in close collaboration with the Tanzania Ministry of Health and the President’s Office of the Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) through the Regional Administrative Secretary.

HJF Medical Research International, Inc. Tanzania (HJFMRI-T) provides care and treatment to people affected by HIV/AIDS and has been actively involved in HIV and AIDS programming, providing resources, personnel, and services to the Southern Highlands Zone regions namely Mbeya, Rukwa, Katavi, Songwe and Ruvuma (VMMC Only). The program also supports TPDF to implement a comprehensive HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment program in 21 Military sites throughout the country.

All HJFMRI partners supported staff who will be recruited to fill different positions follow the normal Government of Tanzania procedures for recruitment like Advertising and Interviews, except for lay carders such as Expert Clients and Mom to Mom who go through a different procedure set by the Ministry of Health.

Job descriptions and required qualifications for the advertised positions are below:

Job Title: HTS Counsellor (29 Positions)

Report to: CTC in-charge and HJFMRI Lead

Terms of Employment: One-year contract

Salary: TGHS B

Major function of the position

Under the direct supervision of CTC in-charge, the HTS Counsellor will engage and mainly conduct HIV testing services, Linkage of clients to ART and retaining them into Care and Treatment at respective facilities in the supported districts. The incumbent will ensure provision of HIV and AIDS services are in line with protocol and HIV management guidelines for Tanzania. To fully provide the intended services, the HTS Counsellor will be stationed at the facility where s/he is assigned to by district authority/Partner. The incumbent will provide HTS Testing services at all points, ART and counselling services to all clients attending the clinic and will be responsible for documentation of all activities and services provided to clients.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Conduct HTS services at different points of the facility as well as in the community through Index Case Testing.
Support the clinicians and Expert clients at OPD only when highly needed, to perform HIV testing services (HTS) using screening tool at OPD setting by Screening of OPD clients to identify eligible clients for HIV testing and Provision of HIV testing services to all eligible patients at health facilities.
Coordinate and provide routine and extensive adherence counselling to clients prior to ART initiation and throughout the continuum of care.
Provide assisted partner notification services for all index clients.
Collaboration with facility staff to ensure Linkage case management model is well understood and its implementation as a routine service to all new identified clients
Together with lay counselors (expert patients and HIV positive CBHSPs), provision of post-test counseling for HIV positives identified.
Supervision and coordination of lay counselors to ensure all positives identified are attached, followed, and enrolled into ART.
Offer first adherence counselling services to newly positive clients before referral to care and treatment and Counseling on the importance of early enrollment in care and ART.
Assess and document all referrals, make follow-up and report on referral outcomes.
In collaboration with OPD in charge ensure HIV screening tool for PITC is administered to all clients attending at OPD and other entry points to allow HIV testing.
Ensure all clients identified to be HIV positive are linked to care and started on ART on the same day (Same day ART initiation).
Ensure pediatric population attending the facility are screened for optimized PITC using children specific screening tool.
Ensure all positive children are started on optimized ART and those who are on old regimen to change the regimen to TLD.
Ensure HIV disclosure and adherence to pediatric population is done at the facility gradually to improve retention and viral suppression.
Participate during children Saturday clinics and teen clubs as way of improving adherence and viral suppression.
In collaboration with CTC in charge ensure there are pediatric job aids, posters and working tools.
In collaboration with CTC in charge ensure there is demand creation for HIV viral load sample collection and samples are collected on daily basis and documented properly.
In collaboration with CTC in charge ensure all clients are screened for TB and initiation of IPT to eligible clients is done on daily basis and documentation is done properly.
Ensure HIV positive women are screened for Cervical Cancer and those found to be positive are started on treatment.
Work closely with CTC in charge to coordinate service provision, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of care and treatment services, RCH/PMTCT activities, early infant diagnosis (EID) and TB/HIV collaborative activities.
Telephone support and appointment reminders among clients with cell phones; and Provision of counseling on HIV-status disclosure and partner/family testing and on barriers to care.
Prepare and submit daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly report to respective authority.
Perform other duties as requested by your supervisor.

Qualifications:

Diploma in Nursing from a recognized institution and must be registered with the relevant professional body in Tanzania.
2 years’ experience providing HIV/AIDS clinical care in Tanzania or previous experience working in HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
Fluency in English and Kiswahili.
Willingness to stay at the working station 100%

Key personal competences:

Self-motivated and able to demonstrate high initiative.
Committed
A team player
Good interpersonal skills

How to Apply:

Please send applications to conf@mbeya.go.tz. All applications should have a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV) and copies of academic certificates. Please write your full name and the position you are applying for on the email subject.

Also, please make sure you fill in the form on the link below for your application to be considered: https://forms.gle/rkQkUfFq9DU2mUhr9

The application deadline is on 6th of October 2023.

Successful candidates will be required to bring their original certificates during interviews.

GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

“Testimonials”, “Provisional Results” “Statement of Results” will not be considered.
Applicants who are retired or have been terminated from the public service should not apply.
Applicants who studied outside of Tanzania should bring the confirmation of their qualifications from the authorized body.
Legal actions will be taken against all applicants who will submit forged/falsified information/documents.