Senior Nurse Adviser, Victorian Investigation of Complex STIs (VICS)

Victorian Department of Health; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Growth opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Victorian Department of Health invites applications for the Senior Nurse Advisor, VICS, a specialist role within the Communicable Disease Unit, Chief Health Officer Group. This position provides statewide public health expertise in preventing and managing complex STI and HIV transmission risks.

You will manage referrals, undertake risk assessments and support partner notification, outreach, testing, treatment and care, working with the medical team, laboratories and public health partners to

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Division 1 nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required.
• A postgraduate qualification in sexual health, public health, substance use or mental health is desirable, with prior relevant professional development in these key areas required.
• Demonstrated clinical or public health nursing expertise in HIV and STI prevention with outreach, testing, treatment pathways, counselling, confidential partner notification, risk mitigation and re-engagement of people lost to follow-up.

Responsibilities

• Provides statewide public health expertise in prevention, identification, assessment and management of complex STI and HIV transmission risks.
• Manages referrals involving HIV transmission risk behaviours, confidential partner notification, and high-risk blood borne virus and STI matters.
• Performs risk assessment, formal investigations, partner notification, outreach, testing, treatment and care linkage, and advises on least-restrictive public health responses.
• Collaborates with medical teams, laboratories, Local Public Health Units, community organisations and government partners to ensure evidence-informed public health action.

Skills

HIV/STI public health nursing

Education

Division 1 nursing registration (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia)

Postgraduate qualification in sexual health/public health/substance use/mental health

Job description

About The Role

The Senior Nurse Advisor, VICS is a specialist senior nursing role within the Communicable Disease Unit, Chief Health Officer Group. The role provides statewide public health expertise in the prevention, identification, assessment and management of complex sexually transmissible infection (STI) and HIV transmission risks.

About The Role

The position manages referrals involving HIV transmission risk behaviours, confidential partner notification, people lost to follow-up, and other complex or high-risk blood borne virus and STI matters. Working under Victorian public health legislation, the role undertakes risk assessment, formal investigation, partner notification, outreach, health undertakings, linkage to testing, treatment and care, and advice on least-restrictive public health responses. The role works closely with the medical team under the Chief Health Officer, clinicians, laboratories, Local Public Health Units, community organisations, public health services and government partners to support consistent, evidence-informed and non-stigmatising public health action and care.

About Us

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected. We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

Qualifications / Specialist Expertise

• Current registration as a Division 1 nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is required.
• A postgraduate qualification in sexual health, public health, substance use or mental health is desirable, with prior relevant professional development in these key areas required.
• Demonstrated clinical or public health nursing expertise in HIV and STI prevention is required with additional experience in outreach, testing, treatment pathways, counselling, confidential partner notification, risk mitigation and re-engagement of people lost to follow-up.

Other Requirements

• Current Victorian or Australian driver licence.
• Ability to undertake frequent travel across metropolitan and regional Victoria, including at short notice.
• Current Working with Children Check and satisfactory pre-employment checks.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.