Patient Support Specialist

Overview

Join the Team - Make A Difference! Work at AID Atlanta, an affiliate of AHF.

 

AID Atlanta, Inc. has been saving and transforming lives since its inception in 1982. The agency is the Southeast's oldest, largest, and most comprehensive AIDS Service Organization.

Today, AID Atlanta offers a broad range of services and has grown to be the most comprehensive AIDS service organization in the Southeast.  AID Atlanta currently offers HIV/AIDS prevention and care services, including (but not limited to) Primary Care, HIV/STD Screening, PrEP, Community HIV Prevention Programs, Linkage Services, Case Management, and a state-wide Information Hotline.

The mission of AID Atlanta is to reduce new HIV infections and improve the quality of life of its clients by breaking barriers and building community.

AID Atlanta's core values:

• Respect
• Compassion
• Service
• Integrity

If you would like to be a part of fostering empowerment in someone's life, AID Atlanta is the place for you.

ResponsibilitiesESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively link and guide patients with information and strategies on how to access HIV/AIDS treatment and support services
• Assist clinic staff in linking patients to resources identified related to health insurance enrollment, case management, financial assistance, medication, home care, transportation and other social services
• Identify and support patients and other health center staff in addressing patient barriers to care Follow-up with patients who miss appointments for HIV/AIDS medical and support services and work with Patient Registrar to reschedule patients that have missed appointments
• Provide basic HIV/AIDS education and education resources to newly diagnosed patients and newly enrolling patients
• Offer emotional support to patients, and make referrals to support groups and classes
• Provide information to the health center team about barriers to patients accessing services
• Participate in the Clinic quality team meetings to ensure that patient navigation services support the achievement of clinic performance measure
• Consults with members of the healthcare team to coordinate service needs of patients presenting to the clinic
• Initiates and maintains regular contact with newly diagnosed and newly enrolled patients through the initial medical service enrollment period
• Familiarizes patients with clinic services and staff contacts
• Conducts service reminder and follow-up calls for missed appointments
• Actively links patients to services and follows-up on referrals made by other staff
• Works with healthcare team personnel to support coordination of patient services by providing information on, identifying and addressing barriers to accessing services
• Provides basic HIV/AIDS and PrEP education and educational resources to patients
• Answers patient questions and provides appropriate resource information. Directs questions outside of their scope of work to appropriate staff, and ensures that patients receive a response.
• Refers patient questions regarding medications to appropriate staff
• Regularly documents interactions with patients in the electronic medical record system
• Seeks guidance from supervisors or appropriate health center personnel, within the limits set for by the Patient Navigation Program Policies and Procedures Manual
• Alerts supervisors and or other clinic staff of issues impacting patient's access to HIV/AIDS services
• Provides encouragement and support to patients. Shares knowledge and experience in accessing services as appropriate
• Does not offer legal, religious or medical advice
• Sets appropriate limits and boundaries with patients and members
• Assists in the planning and facilitation of monthly New Patient Orientation workshops
• Provides HIV Counseling, Testing and Referrals Services to at-risk populations in compliance with strict standards of the Department of Health, CDC and agency protocols
• Adhere to strict procedures of confidentiality, release of information and data security.
• Maintain accurate and complete participant records, tracking contact, counseling, testing, referrals, and outreach performance as defined by evidence-based models, local/state/federal entities.
• Communicate effectively with clients for appointments and follow-up on referrals.
• Maintain accurate and current process, procedural, and program, and inventory logs of specific outreach and testing activities, health materials, condoms/lube, Temperature log (Control storage Area); Test Results.
• Maintain and reconcile accurate forms: Outreach Logos; Reactive Test Result Form; Reactive Rapid Test; ID Form; testing forms; Order Form /Testing Supplies
• Adhere to agency, state and county protocols for HIV testing and reporting.
• Participates in all staff meetings, CQI and program evaluation activities as directed by the Supervisor
• Attend required trainings to keep abreast of current HIV related information
• Seeks guidance from Supervisor or identified health center personnel when experiencing frustration, other strong feelings, or is unsure about what to do in relation to their work

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Knowledge of the environment and systems in which patients receive HIV/AIDS care services
• HIV Testing & Counseling trained/or certified
• Knowledge of PrEP and PrEP resources in the community
• Experience providing HIV education to individuals
• Experience working in different communities, community engagement, relationship building, etc.
• Basic knowledge of computer programs such as Microsoft Office
• Ability to use Electronic Medical Records for documentation of services provided x Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred but not required
• Must pass criminal background check

Qualifications

We at AID Atlanta/AIDS Healthcare Foundation believe that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status or disability.  The right of equal employment opportunity extends to recruiting, hiring selection, transfer, promotion, training and all other conditions of employment.

Employment Type: OTHER