The role of an NHS Sexual Health Advisor is vital in promoting sexual health, providing confidential advice, and supporting patients across the UK. This professional plays a key part in public health, often working in clinics, hospitals, and community outreach programs to ensure that individuals receive accurate sexual health information and timely care. NHS Sexual Health Advisors are responsible for conducting sexual health assessments, offering guidance on contraception and STI prevention, managing sensitive patient information, and liaising with other healthcare professionals to provide a holistic service.
In terms of compensation, an entry-level NHS Sexual Health Advisor can expect to earn between £26,000 and £32,000 per year, with salaries increasing to £40,000+ for those in senior roles or specialised services. This role offers not only financial rewards but also personal satisfaction from supporting community health and improving patient wellbeing.
Understanding the Role and Its Requirements
Before crafting your CV, it’s crucial to fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of an NHS Sexual Health Advisor. Core duties typically include:
Providing sexual health advice and support to patients of all ages
Conducting risk assessments and offering personalised care plans
Promoting sexual health awareness within the community
Administering vaccinations and sexual health screenings
Maintaining accurate patient records while adhering to confidentiality guidelines
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality patient care
Employers value candidates with strong communication skills, empathy, clinical knowledge, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Highlighting these attributes in your CV is essential to make a strong impression.
How to Structure Your NHS Sexual Health Advisor CV
A well-structured CV is the first step to securing an interview. Here’s a recommended layout:
1. Contact Information – Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile link.
2. Personal Statement – Craft a short, impactful summary that highlights your experience, clinical skills, and passion for sexual health advisory services. Keep it focused, professional, and tailored to the NHS role.
3. Key Skills – List core competencies such as patient assessment, health promotion, STI testing, contraceptive counselling, safeguarding, and teamwork. Use bullet points for clarity and include measurable achievements where possible.
4. Professional Experience – Present your work history in reverse chronological order. For each role, outline your key responsibilities, achievements, and impact. Use action verbs such as ‘developed,’ ‘implemented,’ and ‘supported’ to demonstrate proactive engagement.
5. Education and Qualifications – Include your degrees, certifications, and relevant training courses. For sexual health advisory roles, highlight NVQs, RCN certifications, or any NHS-specific training.
6. Additional Sections – Consider including volunteer work, professional memberships, or special projects that reflect your commitment to sexual health and community wellbeing.
Tailoring Your CV for Different Career Stages
For Graduates:
Emphasise your academic achievements, relevant placements, and any voluntary experience in healthcare or community services. Showcase transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy.
For Middle Management:
Highlight your supervisory experience, team leadership, and project management skills. Include evidence of successful initiatives, improved patient outcomes, or innovative health promotion strategies.
For Senior Management:
Focus on strategic leadership, service development, budget management, and policy implementation. Demonstrate your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and influence organisational change.
Interview-Winning CV Tips for NHS Sexual Health Advisors
Tailor Each CV: Adapt your CV for each specific NHS Trust or clinic, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the advertised role.
Use Keywords: Include relevant SEO keywords such as ‘sexual health advice,’ ‘STI testing,’ ‘contraceptive counselling,’ and ‘patient care.’
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to show your impact, e.g., “Supported over 500 patients with sexual health screenings annually.”
Keep It Clear and Professional: Avoid long paragraphs; use bullet points and headings for easy readability.
Show Empathy and Communication Skills: These are critical for patient-facing roles and highly valued by employers.
CV Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
Keep your CV concise, ideally 2–3 pages
Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
Use professional formatting and fonts
Include measurable achievements and evidence of impact
Tailor your CV to the job description
Don’t:
Use vague statements like “responsible for patients” without context
Include irrelevant personal information
Overload your CV with jargon or unnecessary acronyms
Submit a generic CV for multiple roles
Forget to include up-to-date contact details
Final Advice for a Standout NHS Sexual Health Advisor CV
Writing a CV that truly stands out requires blending clinical competence with personal qualities such as empathy, resilience, and professionalism. Always highlight your unique contributions, demonstrate your knowledge of NHS policies, and align your skills with the needs of the role. Whether you’re a new graduate eager to start your career or a seasoned professional seeking a senior position, a carefully crafted CV can make the difference between an application lost in the pile and one that secures a coveted interview.
If you’re serious about creating an interview-winning CV and improving your LinkedIn profile to attract the right opportunities, I invite you to book a professional CV consultation. Over 25 years, I’ve helped hundreds of NHS professionals enhance their career prospects and achieve their dream roles. Let’s work together to make your CV and LinkedIn profile truly shine. Book an appointment today
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