9 (Nine) x Community Primary Care Counsellors- Zimbabwe Health Interventions 

Job Summary

Location: Mutare, Mutasa, Chipinge, Buhera, Makoni, Gokwe, Gweru, Mberengwa, Kwekwe
Type of contract: Fixed Term Contract

About
Zimbabwe Health Interventions (ZHI) is a not-for-profit human development organisation which is registered as a Trust under the Zimbabwe Deeds Registries Act (Chapter 20:05). ZHI’s mission is to develop and deliver innovative and sustainable high impact integrated health interventions with local communities while working with and strengthening existing institutions.

The Accelerated and Comprehensive HIV Care for Epidemic Control in Zimbabwe (ACCE) project’s objective is to complement the government of Zimbabwe (GOZ)’s efforts towards epidemic control by targeting testing to efficiently identify PLHIV, ensuring all newly diagnosed PLHIV are immediately linked to treatment, and all PLHIV on treatment have ready access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), are retained on treatment, and remain virally suppressed. The program is being implemented in 9 districts in Midlands (Gweru, Kwekwe, Mberengwa and Gokwe South) and in Manicaland (Makoni, Mutare. Chipinge, Rusape and Buhera).

Basic function
The ZHI Community Primary Care Counsellor (C-PCC) will be seconded to the MOHCC health facilities to support the provision of quality HIV testing and counselling services. The cadre will work closely with the health facility leadership and the ZHI District HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator. The cadre will also support the project’s community-based HIV services including community testing, defaulter tracking and community DSD models. The cadre will report to the District HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator and will work very closely with the facility staff.

Duties And Responsibilities

Provide quality HIV testing and counselling services; Screen patient for HIV testing using the MOHCC screening tool and or HIV Self-Test Services ; Ensure facility and community index testing for contacts of index cases; Provide intimate partner screening and LIVES support or refer LIVES support; Ensure all identified PLHIV are linked to life-long treatment and care; Explore sexual network testing approach at community level and ensuring linkages to care and treatment and work closely with community nurse and ensure HIV index testing for all clients; Strengthen health facility and community linkages through working closely with MOHCC site nurses and community-based health workers in the development of robust referral systems for PLWHIV; Ensure retention in care of PLHIV through formation and maintenance of community HIV DSD models, Support groups and defaulter identification and tracking and tracing; Provide VL testing to clients at facility, community outreach, CARGS and provide enhanced adherence counselling (EAC) to PLHIV at community level and referring to health facilities and other service providers as maybe needed; Providing enhanced adherence counselling to PLHIV at both facility and at community level and referring to health facilities and other service providers as maybe needed where required; Support the facilities to mobilize PLHIV for community DSD models at facility level in liason with facility leadership to conduct community mobilization, demand creation, as well as facilitate the formation and strengthening of community ART refill groups (CARGs) and support groups; Support defaulter identification, tracking and tracing; Any other activities as directed by the supervisor.

Qualifications And Experience

Primary Care Counsellor certificate or equivalent (MOHCC); RGN / PCN / Primary Care Nursing; Ability to ride a motorbike is an added advantage; OI / ART experience is an added advantage; Certificate in Rapid HIV Testing and Counselling is a must; Good five Ordinary level passes including English; LIVES training an added advantage; Sound knowledge and experience in M and E is an added advantage.

Knowledge, skills and abilities
Proficiency in English and relevant local language; Knowledge of community health practices and general medical ethics; Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently within a team and health facility settings; Ability to analyze and report relevant activities; Sound knowledge of HIV care and treatment practices in Zimbabwe; Results oriented and able to meet project deliverables; Computer literacy is a must.