Hiv Outreach Specialist Ii

SUMMARY: Part Time Position. Responsible for: finding and connecting HIV-positive individuals to medical care and maintaining current patients in medical treatment, keep up to date with HIV-related issues and services, especially in EHC service area, building awareness in the community about the HIV services provided by EHC, and establish and maintains relationships with outside social service agencies and programs that can refer their clients to care at EHC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develops and maintains strong relationships with other community health, social support and substance abuse treatment agencies to facilitate keeping patients in care and conducting case finding.
2. Find HIV+ clients and refer to medical care.
3. Attends community events as needed (i.e., health and resource fairs)
4. On Site/Off Site Rapid HIV Testing.
5. Outreach visits to the street and rehab centers, doctor’s offices, and community pharmacies to promote HIV testing.
6. Coordinates with drug detoxification centers, rehabilitation centers and homeless shelters for HIV testing, and/or HIV medical care referrals.
7. Willingly participate within the overall parameters of this position as a flexible employee open to necessary changes in responsibility as determined by the HIV Program Coordinator and Outreach Supervisor and/or the Medical Department Administrator.
8. Attend any HIV Program conference calls/meetings, as needed.
9. Keeps written documentation of all in-reach and outreach efforts, along with all patient encounters.
10. Other duties, as assigned.

SPIRITUAL CARE:

1. Provide spiritual encouragement, prayer, and other spiritual outreach to patients

2. Participate in personal and community spiritual growth, including EHC devotions/retreats

3. Communicate the love of Christ through interactions, not complaining or arguing, but expressing hope in Christ and His promises

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. MOTIVATION

· Express enthusiasm and a positive attitude and interest in the job

· Exhibit self-motivation in undertaking new projects and assignments

· Independently identify and resolves problems

· Pursue personal and professional development

2. COMMUNICATION

· Display respectful communication with supervisor, coworkers and patients

· Verbally present ideas and opinions in a clear and concise manner

· Present written communication in a clear, concise, and well organized manner

· Notify supervisor when leaving the office to conduct outreach or off-site HIV Testing.

· Use effective listening skills and allow others to convey ideas

· Provide information to supervisor and staff re status of patients, projects, programs

· Establish and maintain open lines of communication with other staff

· Maintain confidentiality, following all HIPAA guidelines

· Show respect for cultural differences and the dignity of each individual

· Strive to put others at ease and to communicate in ways they can understand

· Make hospitality and responsiveness to patients and each other a habit

· Notify supervisor prior to scheduled start time if anticipating lateness or absence

3. DOCUMENTATION

· To be done as per HIV Department protocol

4. QUALITY / SERVICE

· Make consistent efforts to control costs, seeking ways to increase productivity and improve quality

· Ensure proper completion of work activities in a timely manner

· Recognize critical situations and respond effectively

· Maintain professional boundaries, taking on tasks within limits of job description

5. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

· Continue personal and professional growth by recognizing current trends in specialty and effectively preparing to meet anticipated changes

· Serve as a resource by providing technical knowledge to others seeking assistance

6. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

· Work in harmonious partnership with EHC staff and volunteers to further EHC’s mission and vision, to accomplish common goals, and to coordinate various activities

· Adhere to policies and procedures of the health center and the regulations of governing agencies, recommending changes where appropriate

· Promote and follow “safety” practices

· Seek timely reconciliation with others following biblical principles when wronged or after doing wrong to someone else

· Favorably represent Christ and His mission within and outside of EHC

· Adhere to dress code policy at all times

· Demonstrate good attendance and punctuality, reporting for work as scheduled

· Participate in departmental meetings and general staff meetings, including attending EHC Care Team Meetings twice a month

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Training in oral communication and one or more years experience in speaking situations

2. High School Diploma

3. Must be bilingual with the ability to communicate well in both Spanish and English

4. Solid interpersonal skills, including handling challenging people, communicate warmth and be able to put people at ease

5. Ability to remain calm in a chaotic situation

6. Take initiative in communication, being clear and direct; effectively communicate with staff, other organizations and clients

7. Able to organize and prepare culturally specific and client centered contact with patients

8. Ability to form and follow a plan

9. Computer literacy, including able to enter data into a database

10. Ability to use visual aids as appropriate

11. Possession of a solid record of handling confidential information, as well as demonstrating trustworthiness and honesty in all transactions

12. Solid character references with no criminal record

13. Solid record of timeliness and reliability in a work setting

14. Knowledgeable about AIDS, STD’s, HIV issues using specific training, books, videos, etc.

15. Conversant in the USPHS clinical guidelines for the treatment of HIV

16. Ability to lead a discussion group and to teach

17. Ability to learn new information and share it with others in a modified form

18. Ability to work with clinical team to assess patient involvement in regular HIV care

19. Familiarity with community services and resources relevant to HIV positive people

20. Ability to develop trusted relationships with consumers

To carry out its mission, it is of critical importance for Esperanza Health Center (EHC) to keep our patients, families, and workforce safe and healthy and to support the health of our global community. In keeping with this, EHC has mandated all workforce members on-site at any EHC location for any portion of their time be vaccinated for COVID-19. This also includes contractors and EHC volunteers. This vaccine mandate is in alignment with applicable local, state, and federal mandates.

Potential employees may request exemption consideration for EHC vaccine requirements for valid religious and medical reasons. Please note that start dates will be delayed until candidates are fully immunized or valid exemption requests are reviewed and approved.