Infectious Disease Outreach Navigator

General Description:

The Infectious Disease Outreach Navigator will provide comprehensive community-based outreach education and promotion of HIV and HEP-C rapid testing prevention and information regarding PrEP and related services available through Carolina Health Centers. This includes patient education and outreach in the areas of HIV/HEP-C prevention testing treatment and linkage to care. Once connected with the system of care the Infectious Disease Coordinator will assist patients in effectively engaging with the healthcare system and promote retention and improved health outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive community-based outreach education and promotion of HIV testing HIV prevention and PrEP and related services available through the health center
• Accurately document all patient interactions in the electronic health record
• Strengthen community partnerships to identify high-risk populations and ensure use of culturally appropriate approaches to engage communities at risk for HIV including partnerships with opioid treatment programs medication-assisted treatment providers organizations providing counseling and behavioral therapy SSPs housing programs faith-based organizations community centers the local health department State Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) AIDS service organizations community-based service organizations and non-traditional communities (i.e. Alcoholics Anonymous Domestic Violence Groups Homeless Shelters etc.).
• Assist people at risk for acquiring HIV in completing HIV testing and engaging or re-engaging with the system of care including HIV prevention services HIV treatment and medical services as appropriate
• Educate one-on-one with patients and community members to promote HIV/HEP-C knowledge by teaching basics including prevention strategies; helping patients improve communication with medical providers; educating patients regarding the potential of PrEP to substantially reduce the risk of acquiring HIV; educating patients living with HIV regarding the importance of engaging and remaining in care viral load CD4 etc.; and problem solving with patients to help make individual adherence plans
• Support PrEP access and adherence through education and counseling
• Organize and participate in community health fair events to attract and enroll community members; raise awareness of HIV PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP); and provide HIV prevention education as directed
• Perform other related duties incidental to work discussed herein

Reporting Relationships:

Responsible to:

• Behavioral Health Coordinator

Workers supervised:

• none

Interrelationships:

• Works in cooperation with staff and effectively serves customers

This job description is not designed to cover or contain an exhaustive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements:

All employees of Carolina Health Centers Inc. are expected to perform the duties of their job and behave in a manner consistent with the Corporate Philosophy which supports the values of: respect honesty integrity openness transparency diversity equity inclusion stewardship and innovation.

In addition this position requires:

• Education:
• Bachelors degree or equivalent preferred preferably with a focus in public relations public health psychology social work or related field this may be substituted with:
• At least two years of experience in a position involving patient/public contact preferably in the arena of HIV prevention/treatment/education in an AIDS service organization behavioral health agency medical setting or social service agency
• Fluency in oral and written English required
• Fluency in Spanish desired.
• Reliable transportation in order to travel in Carolina Health Centers service area
• Licensure and Credentials:
• None required
• Beneficial Attributes:
• Knowledge of HIV prevention through seminar and coursework
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally in a professional manner and style and the ability to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and educational levels
• Cultural competence with the target population including those at risk of acquiring HIV/HEP-C or living with HIV/HEP-C
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with patients staff community partners and the public
• Knowledge of or ability to obtain knowledge of community resources
• Professional Abilities:
• Compile and analyze data
• Manage long-term projects
• Work with staff members and outside partners across many different settings
• Confidence working alone and in a team
• Solution-focused goal oriented
• Physical Abilities:
• Able to push pull reach sit stoop and stretch
• Have full range of body motion
• Have the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity needed to operate a computer telephone and copier
• Required to talk and hear
• Vision abilities required for this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Noise levels in the work environment are quiet to moderate
• Work Environment:

This position involves exposure to customer/patient elements. The work environment is that of a medical practice that enforces safe OSHA compliant practice. HIPAA rules and regulations are stringently position often operates in the community during outreach events which may be exposed to weather elements. Individuals must be willing to work outreach events alone if other team members are unable to job also operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers telephones photocopiers filing cabinets and fax machines. Requirements for out-of-town and/or overnight travel is occasional.