Linkage To Care Specialist #722113

Position: Linkage to Care Specialist #722113

Program: Community Health Programs

Department: Health Services

Reports to: Program Supervisor

Compensation: $23.00-$30.35 per hour, plus $1.75 per hour Shift Differential Premium for hours worked between 6pm-6am

Schedule: Monday-Friday 10:00am-7:00pm

Status: 100%, Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union

Probation: 90 days

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; also including Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Center’s Mission:

Building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: As the nation’s largest and most experienced provider of LGBT medical and mental health services, we help LGBTQ people lead healthier, happier lives, by keeping their minds and body well. All services are free or low cost. We’re also one of the few Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation with providers who specialize in primary care for LGBTQ people and with a research team working to advance the care and treatment of people in our community.

JOB SUMMARY: Under supervision of the manager, the Linkage to Care Specialist will ensure linkage and retention in medical care for newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients, PrEP patients, and at-risk patients (PEP).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists HIV-positive patients, PrEP patients, and at-risk patients (PEP) in person, by phone, by text, and/or email to support client linkage and retention in health, mental health, and ancillary services, including forms completion, service selection, and appointment scheduling in support of overall well-being and to overcome any barriers that may exist for the client.

• Educates and provides information to clients on services available throughout the Center and externally in Los Angeles County and assists in program enrollment relevant to their individual needs.

• Coordinates financial screening visit, first medical visit, and other services such as mental health, 12-step programs, legal aid, housing assistance, general relief, and support services.

• Provides benefit/insurance enrollment, financial screening, case management, and counseling support until client successfully links to Care.

• Assesses for and helps mitigate barriers to Care including physical and mental ability, transportation, and ability to effectively use technology, and locates patients and supports client’s re-engagement in care through collaborations with community partners and external resources.

• Provides consistent collaboration and follow-through within the Department, with other relevant Center programs and externally to identify possible patients and establish or re-establish care and increase retention.

• Coordinates with clinical staff including Health Services nursing and psychosocial case management to ensure continuity of

• care following patient’s attendance of medical visits.

• Conducts field investigation (site visits to other Center locations, patient’s homes, neighborhoods, shelters, etc.) to provide services including locate, notify patients of test results, and informing patients of referrals to necessary medical evaluation and treatment.

• Identifies and establishes referral linkages through networking with community agencies and external organizations.

• Enters and maintains accurate data collection, enrollment, tracking, clinical documentation and reporting forms.

• Follows established protocols to conduct screening interviews, explains research protocol, conducts informed consent, and enrolls patients as appropriate in research studies.

• Complies with Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards and policies in all study activities.

• Participates in staff meetings and other meetings, as required.

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people.

• A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people.

• Minimum 2 years of experience in HIV/STD prevention or related field.

• Experience and interest in working with the target population and the patient’s specific needs.

• Knowledge of HIV/STD infection, transmission and prevention.

• Knowledge of community resources and referrals for HIV/STDs, mental health, case management, insurance regulations and additional appropriate client-centric referrals.

• CPR (BCLS) certification within 60 days of hire.

• State certified HIV pre/post-test counselor within 60 days of hire.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

• Strong computer skills and knowledge including word processing, database operations, spreadsheets, and other software systems.

• Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured.

• Bilingual skills, a plus (ASL/English/Spanish fluency preferred).

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff. Applications are encouraged from all persons regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical/physical/mental condition, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical condition, age, marital status, or veteran status.

The Center has implemented a policy requiring all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to applicable federal, state and local laws. For more information, please contact jobs@lalgbtcenter.org