Rapid Early Outreach Testing Specialist

Matrix Human Services is Educating Children Supporting Families and Rebuilding Neighborhoods in Detroit.
THE IMPACT YOU WILL BE A PART OF WITH JOINING MATRIX

• Over 30 program locations throughout Detroit and surrounding areas
• 20000 individuals benefiting from Matrix services every year
• The largest Head Start Program in the city of Detroit
• The largest HIV treatment and prevention program in Detroit
• After school youth services and academic enrichment
• Workforce Development and Financial Literacy Programs
• Housing Education and Home Buying Assistance
• Healthy Senior Living Program

FOCUS ON PERSONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. Tuition Assistance. Professional Development -House Learning and Professional Development Platform.
WE EMBRACE WORK LIFE BALANCE. Vacation Banks. Paid Holidays.
BENEFITS OPTIONS. Medical/Rx. Dental. Vision. Life/AD&D Insurance. Flexible Spending Accounts. Combine Short- & Long-Term Disability. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). 403(b) Retirement Account.
CEO Starr Allen-Pettway has been honored by the Michigan Chronicle as a distinguished nonprofit leader in Southeast Michigan.
CORE VALUES:

• Positive Attitude
• Always Learning
• Results Through Accountability

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTIBILITY:

The Rapid Early Intervention Specialist conducts outreach to identify and engage out-of-care Persons Living with HIV (PLWH) and individuals who are unaware of their HIV status. Outreach activities include mobile street- and venue-based engagement in neighborhoods parks drug houses bathhouses and other locations where populations at increased risk for HIV live gather or access services. When HIV testing is not otherwise available the specialist provides confidential HIV testing and counseling including risk assessment specimen collection delivery of test results risk-reduction counseling development of individualized risk-reduction plans and referrals to prevention services for individuals who test HIV-negative. This position develops and maintains referral partnerships with community organizations to facilitate timely linkage to care for newly diagnosed and out-of-care individuals. Responsibilities also include conducting client intake and assessments providing risk-reduction counseling and care planning identifying and addressing barriers to care through referrals to supportive services linking clients to HIV medical care and educating clients to effectively navigate the healthcare system. The specialist collaborates with the Ryan White interdisciplinary team to coordinate medical care and supportive services that promote optimal health outcomes. The primary goal of the Rapid Early Outreach Testing Services program is to identify individuals living with HIV who are undiagnosed ensure that those who have been diagnosed receive their test results and re-engage individuals who know their HIV-positive status but are not receiving medical care. The program supports timely linkage and re-engagement in HIV care promotes long-term retention in treatment facilitates viral load suppression and ensures appropriate utilization of services across the continuum of care to eliminate gaps in care.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of a High School diploma or GED some college preferred or a minimum of 3 years of experience in HIV prevention or care services or other human social services. Experience with Health Education Risk Reduction health navigation and motivational interviewing preferred.
• Phlebotomist certified preferred phlebotomist trained and EIS certified required within twelve months of hire.
• Comfortable in a culturally diverse environment and demonstrate awareness of the value of cultural competence sensitivity in task implementation and comfort engaging in conversations regarding sexual health and well-being.
• Ability to take ownership and showcase interpersonal skillset. Good verbal and written skills. Able to communicate effectively.
• Understanding of the functions of patient advocacy and knowledge of rules and regulations concerning HIPAA and client confidentiality.
• Well-organized and demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple-tasks self-drive achieve desired results and adapt favorably to changing priorities. Highly effective problem solving ability.
• Computer literate proficient in Microsoft Outlook able to learn and effectively utilize client software data base.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates competency in all facets of client-centered clinical interactions including recruitment rapport building intake assessment health education risk reduction treatment planning reassessment referrals and linkage to care. Provides HIV health education health literacy risk-reduction counseling health-system navigation and ongoing assessment of client progress.
• Provides culturally responsive services to individuals from diverse socioeconomic racial ethnic gender sexual orientation religious and other backgrounds maintaining a respectful inclusive and client-centered approach.
• Conducts targeted outreach to individuals who are newly diagnosed aware of their HIV status but not engaged in medical care or lost to care. Uses available data to identify and engage populations and settings with a high likelihood of reaching individuals who are undiagnosed unaware of their results or not connected to HIV medical care.
• Provides HIV testing counseling health education and risk-reduction services in accordance with applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) contractual and programmatic standards. Accurately administers testing communicates results provides education and facilitates appropriate medical and supportive-service referrals.
• Conducts community outreach and develops collaborative relationships with physicians clinics testing and counseling agencies and other community providers to strengthen referral and linkage networks. Represents the program at public education and community events including AIDS Walks World AIDS Day and other outreach activities.
• Educates coaches and empowers clients using motivational interviewing and other evidence-based strategies to support treatment adherence and behavioral goals. Provides medication adherence support appointment reminders transportation and childcare coordination accompaniment to health and social service appointments and advocacy to reduce barriers to care.
• Coordinates ongoing care navigation and collaborates with medical providers and interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care successful transitions and integration of medical and social services. Refers and links clients to medical services community resources and social and behavioral support services while providing intensive follow-up.
• Maintains professional conduct and effective working relationships with clients colleagues and community partners. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings maintains appropriate professional boundaries fulfills scheduled appointments and communicates in a timely and professional manner.
• Completes clinical administrative and grant-related documentation accurately and within required timeframes. Operates the Community Health Mobile Unit assisting in ensuring maintenance cleanliness upkeep in accordance with agency and safety standards. Participates in ongoing professional development and training to enhance skills in outreach counseling client engagement health education risk reduction HIV care and related areas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.