LINCS Navigator

There is an open LINCS Navigator position on the Linkage, Integration, Navigation and Comprehensive Services (LINCS) team. The LINCS program is a part of the Disease Prevention and Control Branch at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Navigators are also cross trained to provide disease investigation specialist (DIS) services to clients, including ensuring treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and offering partner services for clients diagnosed with STIs including syphilis and HIV.
The HIV Care Navigators are part of the SFDPH Linkage Integration Navigation and Comprehensive Services (LINCS) program which serves newly diagnosed and out-of-care HIV--positive clients in San Francisco (SF). The Navigator will implement high-impact, evidence-based strategies to improve uptake of HIV and HCV treatment, as well as PrEP (HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis) and STI testing among people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco. The navigators will play a critical role in San Francisco’s Getting to Zero and Ending the Epidemic efforts – campaigns to end the HIV epidemic in San Francisco.

This is a temporary, grant-funded, full-time, benefitted position. Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

This position is 100% in office.

Pay range: $35.00 per hour

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date, or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Performs educational risk assessments and counseling through STI/HIV/Syphilis interviews that includes sex partner elicitation with patients that are newly diagnosed by DPH providers, private providers, and STI clinic;
• Provide comprehensive sexual health services to patients diagnosed with syphilis and HIV, and follow up to ensure adequate treatment of STIs;
• Work with clinical care team to provide retention to services with HIV+ patients who have fallen out of care, or who are vulnerable to being lost to follow up, or who have poor adherence to HIV medication that results in a high viral load;
• Work closely with other LINCS staff to identify HIV positive clients and monitor their linkage and engagement in medical care;
• Performs client centered health education that provides support for antiretroviral (ART) initiation and adherence, STI testing and treatment, and PEP and PrEP counseling for HIV negative partners;
• Provide HIV/STI disclosure counseling and prevention education counseling in the STI Clinic and other sites;
• Identify barriers to care (eg. experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges) that clients experience when accessing services while implementing a strengths-based management approach to overcome them;
• Navigate and advocate for patients within the complex systems of SF that can include Medi-Cal, Medicaid, SSI, General Relief, food stamps, substance use/harm reduction programs, housing programs, and community-based organizations. This includes attending appointments as necessary all over the city via Lyft, MUNI, etc;
• Use established protocols to conduct investigations to locate persons in need of LINCS services with possible exposure to STI/HIV for testing and treatment. Includes field work to all SF metro area, Treasure Island, and San Bruno County Jail;
• Collect missing information with person with positive gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV including STI information from providers and gender of sex partners;
• Reinforce and assess patient’s comprehension of treatment goals that clients develop with medical care providers;
• Document and track activities, treatment, linkage, navigation, and partner services data from client encounters in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner per established protocol;
• Transition clients from the Navigation roster to clinic or community-based case management, once they are successfully re-engaged in care to ensure best possible outcome to stay linked to care;
• Collaborate with staff across SFDPH, community-based HIV service providers, clinic-based social workers/case managers, and medical providers to support clients’ needs;
• Work with other LINCS team members to further develop and enhance protocols for HIV Care Navigation;
• Participate in developing and disseminating HIV Care Navigation, RAPID Linkage to care, STI testing and treatment best practices;
• Follow current health field safety protocol including wearing a mask and conducting COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire with clients before engaging with them. May have some exposure to direct patient contact of persons who have not yet been vaccinated nor tested for COVID–19;
• Attend meetings and training;
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements
• Covid Vaccination required
• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience with clients in public health, community services or medical settings
• Minimum of 1 year experience in HIV education or counseling
• Current knowledge of HIV/STD transmission, treatment and prevention in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), women, and transgender populations
• Experience working with people living with chronic illness, substance users, or persons with mental health diagnoses
• Experience working with a culturally and economically diverse population, including people of color and gay/bisexual/transgender populations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to function independently under dynamic circumstances
• Proficient computer skills, including experience with MS Office applications

Desired Qualifications
• Proficiency in Spanish

Education/Experience
• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience with clients in public health, community services or medical settings

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Frequently
Handling / Fingering Occasionally
Reach Outward Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally
Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
See Constantly
Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT
General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

All qualified applicants will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.