National HIV Nurses Association

Demonstrates knowledge of the transmission dynamics of HIV

Demonstrates an understanding of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how this relates to HIV

Accesses up-to-date information and clinical guidelines for the care and management of HIV

Demonstrates knowledge of local referral pathways to specialist HIV services e.g. counselling, community care, palliative care and out-patient services

Recognises individual needs in relation to how health promotion, information and education is provided to clients, partners, family and friends

Demonstrates an awareness of own role in supporting the learning environment (for patients/staff/carers) in the workplace

Reflects on, and evaluates, the effectiveness of own health promotion activity

Makes appropriate referrals when the limits of own health promotion knowledge are reached

Demonstrates an awareness of the health screening needs of people with HIV (e.g. cervical smears, hepatitis, sexual health, lipids, blood pressure) and ensures patients are aware of the need and rationale for health screening

Demonstrates an awareness of the sexual health and reproductive needs of people with HIV and understands the individual’s right to sexual and reproductive fulfilment

Demonstrates knowledge of relevant policies, protocols and guidelines both local and national that relate to the sexual health needs of people living with HIV

Presents a positive attitude to issues around sex and patients’ sexual and reproductive health

Assists in the assessment and treatment of the sexual health needs of patients living with HIV

Identifies health promotion needs for groups of patients. Develops and reviews strategies to meet these needs

Involves people with HIV in developing health promotion initiatives, written information and service development

Provides information, education and prevention advice to individuals and/or groups according to local need and defined role

Develops strategies to meet the health screening needs of individuals and/or groups according to local need and defined role

Demonstrates an understanding of issues relating to the sexual health needs of people living with HIV including: cultural and belief issues; confidentiality; routine screening; women’s and men’s health issues; preconception advice; health promotion; and is able to articulate them to the rest of the MDT as appropriate

Demonstrates an understanding of the relevant national and local policies and guidelines related to the management of sexually transmitted infections and the sexual health needs of HIV-positive adults

Proactively discusses sexual health with patients and encourages regular health checks/screening as appropriate

Undertakes sexual health risk assessment as part of routine assessment of patients with HIV

Describes treatment options for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in HIV according to national protocols and guidelines

Using identified health promotion techniques is able to enable patients to make informed choices and healthy lifestyle choices relating to their sexual health, working in a multidisciplinary manner and referring the patient as necessary to enable them to meet their sexual health needs

Evaluates health promotion activity/strategies across a service/clinical network

Undertakes training needs analysis and plans interventions to enable nursing staff across services to implement health promotion strategies

Develops strategies to meet the health screening needs across a service or clinical network

Develops, implements and monitors pathways, protocols and referral routes that allow access to the assessment and management of patients presenting with sexual health issues including: sexual health screening; family planning; assisted conception and cervical screening services; both locally and across a clinical network

Ensures the incorporation of sexual health issues into the routine provision of HIV nursing services

Undertakes nursing assessment in relation to maintaining health and a healthy lifestyle including: recreational drug use, smoking and alcohol; diet; exercise; weight; adherence; stress management; sexual health; travel health; hygiene and prevention of infection

Demonstrates an awareness of HIV/STI transmission risk and the resources available e.g. free condoms, leaflets, post-exposure prophylaxis

Demonstrates awareness of issues around disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners, post-exposure prophylaxis and the potential criminalisation of HIV transmission

Utilises effective communication skills for the delivery of risk reduction messages

Demonstrates awareness of national and local immunisation policies for people with HIV and performs appropriate risk assessment

Refers individuals to appropriate healthcare workers (e.g. dietitian, health adviser, smoking cessation adviser) for specific health promotion interventions and risk modification discussions

Identifies psychosocial factors that may affect the ability of individuals to adopt/maintain a healthy lifestyle (e.g. housing, transport, immigration, employment, stigma) and reports findings to care team for further management and onward referral

Undertakes detailed risk assessment in relation to smoking, cardiovascular risk, sexual health, etc. Develops action plan and makes onward referrals based on the assessment

Discusses issues around disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners, post-exposure prophylaxis and the potential criminalisation of HIV transmission

Discusses individual attitudes, beliefs, motivations and perceptions towards behavioural changes to improve health in relation to HIV

Integrates individual behavioural, physical, social and environmental risk modifying factors into health promotion activities

Works with key services and workers to provide appropriate risk reduction services across statutory and non-statutory services

Develops strategies (with other members of the multidisciplinary team) to ensure that partner notification, issues of criminalisation and post-exposure prophylaxis are managed across a service or clinical network

Demonstrates an understanding of the communication, negotiation, assertiveness skills and coping strategies required for individuals to self-manage a long-term medical condition

Demonstrates an awareness of local referral pathways for individuals needing skills building support e.g. health advisers, counsellors, psychologists

Demonstrates an awareness of, and refers to, external organisations providing skills building courses and workshops e.g. Living Well programmes [1]

Demonstrates collaborative working and facilitates and supports decision making within the ethos of expert staff/patient ethos

Engages in one-to-one skills building support e.g. negotiating safer sex adherence skills, managing self-administration of medication

Utilises methods for initiating and supporting behavioural change e.g. motivational interviewing

Undertakes planned, formal programme of skills building for chronic disease management for individuals and/or groups

Designs, implements and evaluates skills building programmes for chronic disease management across a service or clinical network