Job Description

The Aurum Institute is offering a great opportunity to suitably qualified and experienced staff to contribute towards our mission to improve the health of people and communities through innovation in Global Health Research and Systems.

We are focused on research, support and implementing integrated approaches to managing TB and HIV.

Work Description:

The Client Engagement Officer is responsible for providing basic patient-level support to all newly diagnosed patients, and the patients already on HIV treatment, and those beginning their treatment journey. Providing telephonic support and follow-ups. The incumbent should also be tracing Pre-Art, and treatment interrupters with the aim to bring them back and re-engage them to care. They will also be responsible to provide education and information around treatment and care of HIV and or TB.

Providing information and support to Participants (new and existing) in the decanting programme as well as rendering psychosocial support counselling and mentoring on a regular basis resulting in adherence and retention to care.

Technical Work Responsibilities

• Coordinate with healthcare facilities / workers to locate newly identified HIV- positive clients /cases requiring linkage into care.
• Be able to provide simple and relevant HIV/TB information to patients in a clear, convincingly, and understandable manner.
• Accompany the patient through ART initiation steps and ensure timely start on ART.
• Register and maintain all patients on ART into the appropriate data collection registers/tools.
• Coordinate referrals to clinic and community-based HIV care and treatment services, and advocate for accessibility to these services.
• Conduct follow-up communication to deliver support to assigned patients as per case management protocol, such as patient reminders to appointments.
• Create and maintain favourable relationships with Internal and External Stakeholders
• Participate in Counselling Quality Assurance Audits and Competency Assessments
• Provide counselling and mentoring services resulting in the retention of clients in care
• Actively track their cohort of patients to ensure that they are recorded as linked to care in Tier.Net.
• Actively engage with tracers and community-based services to find patients who have missed appointments and ascertain if they are lost to follow up.
• Liaise with clinical teams on any basic clinical guidance that needs to be followed up.
• Record and report all data obtained in the field.
• Continue to maintain contact despite decanting to remote pick up solutions
• Participate in basic facility quality improvement activities to address retention in care system/patient gaps.
• Provision of initiatives to minimize loss to follow up (LTFU).
• Identification of process inadequacies and recommendations
• Identification and escalation of high-risk situations or unresolved client queries

Education / Professional Membership

xc3xbc Grade 12

xc3xbc Post matric qualification - social science or related field

xc3xbc Relationship Counselling Certificate

xc3xbc Advanced Adherence Counselling Certificate

xc3xbc Trained on IACT, Kids Alive, AGL / NAS / AYFS

Advantageous

xc3xbc Diploma/Degree in Social Science or related field

xc3xbc Valid Driverxe2x80x99s License and own vehicle

Experience

xc3xbc At least 2 yearsxe2x80x99 HIV testing and/or counselling

xc3xbc 2 yearsxe2x80x99 HIV and TB community education and mobilisation

xc3xbc At least one-year experience in providing support/counselling to HIV Infected Individuals dealing with psychosocial issues that influence Health-seeking behaviour

xc3xbc Customer Support Service / client centric training

Other Requirements

xc3xbc SA Citizen or valid work permit to work in South Africa

xc3xbc Basic computer skills

xc3xbc Excellent social kills, team player, performance oriented, and self-motivated

xc3xbc Excellent communication skills, listening skills, knowledge retention and the ability to establish effective, trusting relationships

xc3xbc Demonstrable empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in the community

xc3xbc Willing to travel within / outside of the local working area

xc3xbc Willing to work overtime

Closing Date: 28th August 2023.

Please note:

Kindly provide current and relevant references for background checks

All appointments are subject to the preferred candidates obtaining the necessary security clearance, reference checking, and competency assessment. We embrace employment equity and are committed to the achievement of fair and equal representation of our workforce. Preference will be given to internal applicants and candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Aurum welcomes applications from all persons with disabilities.

Whilst all applications will be carefully considered, only short-listed applicants will be interviewed. If you do not hear from us within 21 days of the closing date, this will mean that your application has been unsuccessful. All interviewed applicants will receive feedback as part of our continued drive towards people development.

The Aurum Institute