Hiv Prevention Counselor

Matrix Human Services is Educating Children, Supporting Families and Rebuilding Neighborhoods in Detroit.
Operating multiple programs in more than 35 Detroit locations, Matrix provides services to more than 25,000 individuals and families annually and operates the largest Head Start program in Detroit serving more than 1,900 children.
CORE VALUES:

• Being of Service
• Building Relationships
• Always Learning
• Committed to Results

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTABILITY:
The Prevention Counselor plans and assists with HIV testing & counseling and other sexually transmitted infections such as screening for Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C screenings. Conducts patient intakes, assesses patients risk, takes patients samples, provide testing results, and assists patients with developing risk reduction plans. HIV Test Counselors provides referrals, linkage to medical care and supportive services. Provides counseling to high risk individuals. Locates patients who are unaware of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C. Provides information on community services and provides health education.
TIME & EFFORT:

• 90% of this positions time is focused on providing integrated screenings for HIV, STD's, and HCV by collecting rectal, pharyngeal, urethral and phlebotomy specimens to persons unaware of their status.
• 10% of this positions time is focused on all other functions not directly related to providing integrated screenings.
• See General Responsibilities Section for further description of the above functions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participates in outreach efforts to locate individuals at risk of HIV infection or not aware of their status. Educates, coaches, and empowers individuals at risk of HIV infection using motivational interviewing techniques and strategies to help them identify and adhere to risk reduction plans and their behavioral goals. Assists clients in removing barriers to remaining HIV negative including providing them with risk reduction tools (condoms, lubricants, etc.), assisting them in identifying triggers that may lead to putting themselves at risk of HIV/STI, works with them to develop an individual risk reducation plan, provides linkages to resources (such as insurance) to assist them in obtaining services in need of (such as PrEP).
• Provides HIV Prevention Counseling, HIV health education and risk reduction in accordance with the standards, guidelines, contractual obligations, and protocols established by the Center for Disease Prevention and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. Efficiently and accurately executes integrated screenings for HIV, STDs, and HCV by collecting rectal, pharyngeal, urethral and phlebotomy specimens from persons unaware of their status. Provides testing results to individuals assisting them in understanding the test, the results, ensuring linkage to the appropriate treatment provider, and providing other referrals as needed.]
• Demonstrates competency in all facets of client centered clinical interactions including recruitment, rapport building, intake, assessment, health education, risk reduction treatment planning, medication adherence, reassessment of risk reduction treatment plans, and referrals. Assists persons living with HIV who are lost to care by linking them back into care. Follows up with all individuals to ensure linkage to and ongoing utilization (for access) of resources needed.
• All clinical and administration documentation (grant data statistic submission, reports etc.) are completed fully and within time frames designated. Completes all clinical documentation (testing logs, intakes, progress notes, etc.) fully and within the designated time frames. Assists in the evaluation of program outcomes and realignment of program recruitment activities.
• Networks with community leaders/gatekeepers, other service providers, including physicians, clinics, nightclubs, bath houses, etc., developing new venues for the program to participate with for identifying individuals at risk of HIV infection or unaware of their HIV status. Educates individuals and the community on HIV testing and counseling services to increase awareness and increase testing. Adapts peer support messaging and protocols for HIV/STI testing to use with individuals who are at high risk for HIV. Distributes information regarding criteria and process for HIV/STI testing and risk reduction.
• Ability to be a team player, participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and approach to service delivery. Participates in public event opportunities such as, AIDS Walks, World AIDS Day, Pride Events, and other miscellaneous community events/activities/fundraisers. Maintains awareness of community changes which could impact service delivery. Maintains professional conduct with clients including being on time for visits, returning phone calls, and maintaining professional boundaries. Able to work with a diverse group of individuals comprised from different socio- economic, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, religious, etc. backgrounds.
• Maintain and enhances professional expertise through educational / organizational activities. Maintains knowledge of requirements of regulatory, licensing and accreditation agencies including Standards of Care for HIV/STI testing and counselling.
• Assists in maintaining the testing and counseling laboratory, ensuring inventory is ordered, checked in, locked up, and maintained within safe environmental conditions. Ensures that all laboratory procedures are followed, laboratory area is kept clean and sanitized, and all laboratory forms are fully and accurately completed. Document and report any incidents or accidents immediately. Runs laboratory controls at directed times to ensure tests remain accurate and reliable.
• Assists in maintaining, operating, and driving the mobile HIV/STI testing unit including completing maintenance logs ensuring oil, tires, gas and structural checks are being maintained and are up to date. Ensure vehicle is kept clean, properly stocked and ready for service. Document and report any incidents or accidents immediately. Prepare, set up, and dismantle HIV/STI testing sites, such as tents, heaters, tables and other program materials as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors in Human Services Degree preferred, with a minimum of high school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one (1) or more years of HIV experience required with (5) five years of experience preferred. Direct knowledge of community programs and resources providing health education and risk reduction, treatment of sexually transmitted disease, and support to HIV patients preferred.
• Phlebotomist certified preferred, phlebotomist trained required within twelve months of hire.
• Current licensure/certification to practice in the State of Michigan, if applicable.
• PC literacy and comfort with various forms of case management software.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to see, hear, speak and write English to communicate effectively with public and staff. Good verbal and written skills.
• Analytical ability sufficient to resolve problems requiring the integration of data from diverse sources.
• Ability to travel throughout the services area including the city of Detroit and counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, St. Clair, Monroe and Lapeer. Evening and weekend hours required, as needed.

WORKING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Because of multiple testing sites to conduct HIV testing at and the need to meet with others within the community, it is common to drive to multiple locations, sometimes in inclement weather. Many of these locations are at non- traditional business locations, such as at nightclubs, bathhouses, parks, etc. It is common to work non-business hours, such as on weekends, evenings, and very late evening early morning hours.
CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ETHICAL CONDUCT:

• All staff will use data to help achieve program goals; apply techniques and strategies that promote a culture of learning; identify and address gaps that continuously improve our programs
• All personnel of Matrix must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and incorporate Continuous Quality Improvement efforts into their everyday performance
• All Head Start employees must adhere to the federal regulations and requirements for Head Start operations including the Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct
• Demonstrate and actively promote an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of Matrix Human Services

Matrix Human Services is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Matrix Human Services is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodationsto individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@matrixhs.org. Michigan law requires that a person with a disability or handicap requiring accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job must notify the employer in writing within 182 days of the date that the need is known or should have been known.
Salary Description
$40,000