National HIV Nurses Association

Demonstrates a knowledge and understanding of, and can identify the major presenting signs and symptoms of acute and chronic HIV-related conditions and risks of illness associated with relevant CD4 counts

Accesses evidence-based local/national clinical guidelines on the care and management of HIV-related conditions, co-infections and co-morbidities e.g. hepatitis, TB, metabolic problems

Demonstrates an understanding of the assessment of a patient presenting with palliative care needs

Is aware of the assessment needs of a patient who requires terminal care and the evidence-based tools available e.g. The Liverpool Pathway [1]

Identifies appropriate methods, techniques and equipment necessary to carry out assessment and prepares appropriately, taking into consideration any risk. Completes the nursing assessment of the patient’s physical well-being and reports relevant findings to the care team

Records new information related to clinical assessment and passes it on to relevant colleagues in a timely manner

Encourages the patient's participation in the assessment process

Participates in the development of a plan of care to meet the identified needs

Participates in the assessment of clinically stable patients on and off therapy as part of routine follow-up care within the outpatient or community setting

Obtains clear and concise information on the presenting physical signs and symptoms of acute or chronic HIV-related conditions and related co-morbidities and co-infections

Recognises signs and symptoms of complex and unstable health problems requiring review by senior colleagues

Makes a comprehensive assessment of a patient's palliative care needs

Fully assesses the physical needs of a patient who requires terminal care

Interprets all clinical information available including that documented by colleagues

Develops a plan of care in conjunction with the patient and implements ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the care within the care team

Assesses a caseload of patients with non-complex care needs, on or off ART on an ongoing basis

Works autonomously to obtain a clinical history from identified patients with complex physical needs as defined by local policy/national guidelines

Provides advice and support to colleagues and students in the use of different methods of assessing an HIV-positive patient's physical well-being needs

Works with education providers to meet staff education needs for patient assessment in HIV care

Initiates and contributes to research partnerships to develop the patient assessment evidence base in HIV

Develops, together with the patient where possible, an appropriate plan of care to meet those complex needs and implements a monitoring and evaluation process

Works autonomously, in partnership with the MDT, to assess a caseload of clinically stable patients with complex care needs, on or off ART, on an ongoing basis

Demonstrates an awareness of the impact of stigma on the social needs of a patient living or dying with HIV

Completes a nursing assessment of the social care needs of a patient with HIV

Is aware of the relevant agencies both statutory and voluntary providing social care and support for patients with HIV

Understands the importance of sensitively assessing the family responsibilities, social network and support of a patient with HIV

Understands the relevant social, cultural, life-style, diversity and sexuality issues of patients with HIV that impact on their health and well-being, including adherence, sexual health, etc

Comprehensively assesses the social care needs of a patient and develops a care plan to meet the identified social care needs

Assists and enables the patient to access the appropriate social care package and makes the relevant referral to the support agencies

Ensures the social care provision is coordinated, monitored and evaluated

Identifies complex social care needs and coordinate a package of care

Acts as a point of referral for patients with more complex social care needs

Coordinates the delivery of care plans, feeding in relevant information to support wider service planning

Improves coordination between health and social care provision to enhance joint assessment of clients

Works within the organisation and across networks to identify longer-term planning around identified social needs

Demonstrates an awareness and understanding of the psychological and emotional impact of an HIV diagnosis on a newly diagnosed HIV patient, patients starting or switching therapy or a patient with acute, chronic, terminal condition or palliative needs

Demonstrates an understanding of the impact of health beliefs on the self-management of HIV, including adherence to medication

Demonstrates an awareness of the impact of stigma on the emotional and psychological needs of a patient living or dying with HIV

Provides an environment and opportunity to enable a patient with HIV to express their emotional and psychological needs.

Recognises own limitations and seeks advice from senior colleagues and refers appropriately

Is aware of the requirement to assess capacity to make decisions within the terms of the Mental Capacity Act [2]

Understands the referral process to local statutory and voluntary professionals and agencies that provide HIV specialist assessment, support and advice e.g. health advisors, Positively Women, Terrence Higgins Trust, psychologists and refers within the limits of local protocol

Assesses psychological and emotional barriers to effective health maintenance with living with HIV especially when starting or switching therapy

Assesses aspects of psychological and emotional well-being of patient presenting with an acute or terminal illness

Liaises with colleagues in referring clients for psychological assessment and support

Provides accurate information to the team on the support that individuals will need and the impact on their own work

Works autonomously to comprehensively assess complex psychological and emotional needs of a newly diagnosed HIV patient, patients starting or switching therapy or a patient with acute, chronic or terminal condition or with palliative care needs

Develops service links and multidisciplinary working with psychological/ psychiatric services to enhance case-by-case assessment

Demonstrates an understanding of the differing spiritual needs of patients affected by HIV

Ensures an individual patient's beliefs are respected and their wishes understood at all times throughout the assessment process

Completes a nursing assessment of these needs promptly and appropriately

Refers patient to relevant spiritual support as appropriate

Assesses a patient's spiritual needs and incorporates these into the plan of care

Assesses the impact of spiritual beliefs that may impact on the health and well-being of the patient

Ensures the assessment of spiritual needs and incorporates the needs of the patient's significant others, as appropriate, particularly regarding disclosure and end of life issues