Job Description

Position: COUNSELOR – EVENING (COE)

Location: New Delhi

Last Date: 18 May 2024

India Cares is a Not-for-Profit registered trust supported by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), providing free HIV prevention, testing and treatment services in India. The organization’s mission is to “provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy, regardless of ability to pay." It does this by collaborating with government, NGOs and other key stake holders to provide direct support and technical assistance to establish sustainable and replicable models for the delivery of quality and comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support services.

The services provided by India Cares include OPD Consultation, counseling services, laboratory services, and the pharmacy providing ART/OI drugs. All these services are provided free. In order to efficiently managing the clinic, India Cares intends to hire a full-time qualified ART Counselor, with the below mentioned criteria:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist the staff nurse in triaging the new patients eligible for Pre-ART registration and refer others to the nearest ICTC for confirming HIV status

• Complete the Pre-ART registration (HIV care) register, on first visit of the PLHIV and provide adherence counseling

• Counselor to maintain the HIV exposed/ infant child register

• Provide necessary counseling on subsequent visits to the “Pre ART” patients and adherence

• Provide counseling to those who are living with HIV in the CoE ART clinic and the satellite clinics

• Providing psycho-social support to registered PLHA clients of the clinic and their family members/client attendants.

• Referral and linkages with other community-based organizations, rehabilitation centres and Various support groups

• Address issues related to ARV treatment:

1. Pre-ART or treatment preparedness exercises, encourage and help in finding guardian Support

2. Explain the details of treatment and its importance, including side effects of ARV drugs

3. Adherence counseling and monitoring, identification of barriers to adherence and suggestions

• Participate in maintaining data and ensure timely submission of reports as required by the organization

• To remove these barriers

1. Pill counting for PLHIV on ART and assess adherence

• Provide emotional, social, and psychological support to patients and/or direct them to the concerned person or organization that can do so

• Explain to the patients, care givers, guardians and other family members about palliative and home-based care, hygiene and nutrition

• Counsels patients on positive living, prevention proper condom usage; and dispense condoms

• Complete the required sections in the recording and reporting tools maintained by the ART centre

1. Pre-ART Registers (fill in prescribed columns

2. ART Enrollment register: (fill in prescribed columns)

• Counselors must ensure all the registers are filled appropriately and updated

• Collect and update address of PLHIV

• Counseling of Pre ART patients on follow up visits and repeat CD4 count. CD4 report of Pre ART patients are to be given by counselor after proper counseling

• Follow up for testing of spouse and children of the PLHIV

• Maintain records of LTFU clients and due timely telephonic follow ups / home visits.

• Provide counseling on family planning and breast feeding, particularly for pregnant women coming for PPTCT.

• The counselor should ensure appropriate advice and counseling to link the pregnant women to appropriate services including ANC and post-natal services, immunization and EID for infant.

• Ensuring better coordination between testing activities and clinic to ensure higher linkage to services.

• Follow up of non-adherent clients and Conducting home visits as when required providing required support to clients.

• Assist the Director, Medical & Psychiatry Services / Medical Officer in the management of day-to-day affairs of the clinic.

• Assist in ensuring client mobilization for satellite clinic in coordination with Prevention Program Manager, Staff Nurse and Partner Organization

• Besides all the above, any other responsibilities / instructions related to the program given by the supervisors need to be discharged / followed from time to time.

Other responsibilities

• To work under the guidance of the Supervisor.

• To adhere the norms and protocols of INDIA CARES.

• Willingness to travel as and when required.

• Ability to develop, maintain technical data and prepare presentations for various reports in multi-media formats.

• Ability to maintain a culture of strict confidentiality of sensitive client data.

Participation in AHF Meetings/Committees:

• AHF Staff Meetings

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Educational Qualification:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work / Sociology / Psychology or Social Sciences or equivalent; or more than 5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• The ideal candidate is desired to have three years of post-qualification experience working as a Counselor in a hospital setting.

• At least one year of experience working as an ART Counselor in Government / Private ART centre.

Computer/Software Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint is essential.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

• Ability to write reports, and business correspondence.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from Clients, political groups, government agencies, private contributors, and the general public.

Other Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and related medical and patient care issues and concerns in diverse populations strongly preferred.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Sensitized and able to work with sexual minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations and differently abled communities.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Relevant professional degree/ experience certificate.

Remuneration:

• Salary and perks will commensurate with the best in the industry.

Selection Process:

• The last date for the submission of application is 18 May 2024.

• The candidates are requested to submit the application (with Cover letter, CV mentioning at least two referees and copy of requisite educational certificates) to the email id: brij.bhandari@ahf.org, with the subject line – “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF ART COUNSELOR – EVENING – COE”. Also, include details of your social media handles in the CV.

• The shortlisted candidates will be contacted for written test, and personal interview.

• India Cares will conduct reference checks for the selected / shortlisted candidate/s.

Date of Joining: Immediate

Probation Period: Once appointed, there will be a probation period for three months.

India Cares is a non-religious organization and provides secular working environment. It does not discriminate anybody based on the religious or community affiliations, HIV status, gender or sexual orientation.

People living with HIV, women and individuals belonging to LGBTQIA+ are encouraged to apply.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking at long term employment and making a difference in the lives of the deserving communities, that India Cares serves – People Living with HIV/AIDS / Persons who inject drugs (PWID) / Sexual Minorities etc.

About Company

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