Clinic Lead

Scope of Work:

Reporting to the Clinic Manager, the Clinic Lead is a licensed medical professional who delivers and oversees evidence-based, status-neutral multidisciplinary case management services. In addition to providing counseling, risk reduction, prevention, treatment adherence, and psychosocial interventions, they supervise and mentor case managers and allied staff, ensuring consistent application of clinical protocols and high-quality client care. This role provides clinical services within their scope of practice (e.g., medicine administration, phlebotomy), oversees operational and administrative processes, and leads infection prevention and control, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness. They play a key role in retaining clients in care, upholding client rights, and fostering staff development, resilience, and wellbeing.

Suitably qualified candidates openly living with HIV and/or are representative of key populations affected by HIV are also actively encouraged to apply.

Position Responsibilities:

Case Management and Oversight:

• Oversee and facilitate multidisciplinary case management services for clients appropriate to their health needs and circumstances, ensuring care is consistent with evidence-based standards, and clinical protocols.
• Support adherence to clinical management by providing interventions or programs that help clients follow their recommended HIV and STI testing, prevention, and/or treatment plan, and management of other health conditions.
• Provide the client with information, skills, and support to follow mutually-agreed upon, evidence-based recommendations to achieve optimal wellness and quality of life.
• Lead the monitoring and tracking clients' clinical progress and changes in their social and environmental situation, including facilitating follow-up visits and insurance benefits (e.g., OHAT).
• Provide basic screening and psychosocial support, and link clients to appropriate mental health, social, or community services when appropriate.
• Provide assistance to clients on harm reduction, offer support for clients who wish disclosure, and foster development of supportive networks and community connections.

• Provide prevention education, screening, and risk-reduction counseling for individuals with risk factors for HIV and STIs.

• Develop, implement, and lead strategies ensuring retention to services and mitigate clients being lost to follow-up.

• Provide medicine administration and phlebotomy as appropriate.
• Adhere to all relevant laws, regulations, clinic policies, and ethical principles, particularly in upholding clients' rights pertaining to HIV services and ensuring strict data privacy and confidentiality.

Clinical Leadership and Supervision:

• Provide mentorship and supervision to case managers, client support provider, and oversight to social worker, including leading training/onboarding, implementing performance appraisal, and supporting skills development of clinical staff.
• Supervise implementation of clinical protocols, including infection prevention and control monitoring (PPE use, hand hygiene, waste segregation).
• Support in monitoring staff wellness and burnout, providing or facilitating mental, social, and medical support as appropriate.
• Act as Clinical Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Clinic Manager.

Administrative and Operational Oversight:

• Oversee the inventory of clinical supplies (e.g., test kits, medications) and the coordination of its replenishment to avoid stock-outs.
• Oversee the routine calibration and maintenance of medical equipment and laboratory management, including specimen collection, storage, sending out, recording, and reporting.
• Support in licensure and compliance renewals for clinical related matters (e.g., DOH, PhilHealth)
• Oversee the accurate, complete, and comprehensive charting in the clinic's electronic (e.g., CFL, OHASIS, registries) and paper-based systems, contributing to efficient monitoring of client care and accurate and timely reporting.
• Support in coordinating with external partners ensuring seamless service navigation and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Spearhead emergency preparedness and response activities, including leading drills and readiness protocols.
• Be available to perform other related duties as assigned by the Direct Supervisor and the Management.

Quality Assurance and Improvement:

• Contribute to program quality according to SHIP's standards by contributing to the quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives.
• Conduct weekly clinical audits and reviews, ensuring optimal case management, maximizing insurance benefits, and accurate documentation.
• Stay updated on scientific and programmatic developments related to HIV, STI, SOGIE, and key populations, and disseminate knowledge to staff.

Task Sharing:

• Participate in task sharing initiatives per clinic protocols, including temporarily taking on duties typically assigned to other team members to ensure continuity of care and smooth clinic operations.
• Model collaboration by supporting handovers, ensuring staff coverage during absences, and clarifying unclear roles.

Qualifications:

• Licensed medical professional (e.g., nurse , midwife, etc.) with current PRC registration.
• At least 3 years proven work experience in client management focused on HIV, STI, and/or key populations. DOH-certified HIV counselor is an advantage.
• Must have an in-depth knowledge and experience in HIV and STI Prevention or Control Program.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary collaborations, including collaboration with physicians, social workers, and external partners, to ensure comprehensive, client-centered care.
• Strong communication, counseling, and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated compassionate, culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed, and non-discriminatory clinical practices.
• Demonstrated ability to use ICT-based productivity programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Google Suites and similar cloud-based office programs, Zoom, FB Messenger and related communications software, social media.

• Knowledge of and commitment to infection prevention and control, clinic safety, and quality assurance/quality improvement.

• Ability to mentor and supervise, manage multiple tasks, adapt to task sharing arrangements, prioritize effectively, and work effectively in teams.

• Willing to work on weekends and with possible shifting rest days, and flexible schedules as clinic operations require.