HIV Tester Disease Intervention Specialist

(GayWebSource.com – Gay News & Press Network) – Posted by SeasonsofPride.com

Health Outreach Specialist: Works to implement HIV testing, linkage, and retention programs for the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination. Works with the CCHE research team, Linkage to care specialist, case manager and Principle Investigator. Leads efforts to execute outreach scopes of service for HIV-positive and at-risk adolescents and young adults. Establishes connections with members of high-risk networks and attempts to test, link, and engage these members in care. Implements alternative venue, network, and partnership notification testing strategies. Links newly or previously diagnosed persons into clinical care. Develops and implements risk reduction counseling strategies with HIV- infected or affected persons in clinical and non-clinical locations. Coordinates and implements engagement in care programming for HIV-positive persons. Coordinates and implements health and sexual wellness programming for persons who are at risk of acquiring HIV. Provides HIV and STI risk reduction education and advocacy in the community through relevant community-based organizations, schools, and religious communities. Works with research team to develop and execute targeted wellness events in which testing and linkage take place. Provides partner notification to individuals whose sexual or needle sharing partners are identified.

HIV Tester Disease Intervention Specialist

Principal contribution is providing technical and administrative support for a research project. Under general supervision, performs moderately complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks.

Collects and maintains data and/or specimens.
Analyzes data. Conducts literature reviews.
Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
Maintains and orders equipment and supplies.
Helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.
May orient or coordinate the work of research support staff and students.
Responsibilities may include the following non-laboratory duties: May assist in recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support.
Responsibilities may include the following laboratory duties: setting up and performing experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.

The candidate will provide HIV testing, result notification, and linkage to care for individuals seeking HIV testing at CCHE or the associated community space. Responsibilities include: pre-test and posttest counseling; elicitation of sexual and social networks; provision of results; and linkage to care. For linkage to care the candidate will be responsible for facilitating the scheduling of appointments for participants; attending medical care appointments with patients; tracking and reporting patient outcomes and visit attendance; coordination with CCHE research and service programs; and providing brief client-centered case management. The candidate will also be responsible for providing partner notification to those individuals who are identified through the network elicitation process. Provision of services may also include: linkage to HIV and PrEP care; referrals to other community based organizations (CBOs) and social service agencies (e.g. housing, food, and primary care organizations); follow up with participants of the program; monitoring and evaluation of services; development of community outreach programs and procedures; documentation of client encounters and services. . Additionally, the individual will collect and analyze data to identify program progress and any need for change; work closely with the PI and other project coordinators; collaborate with community members and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH); assist in the development of protocols and procedures for the network based HIV/STI testing program and linkage to care; and actively pursue required knowledge and skills for professional development. Stay informed about the CDPH regulations and requirements.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Bachelor’s degree or three years of equivalent HIV outreach/prevention experience preferred.
CDPH HIV test counseling certification required.
DIS certification preferred.

Experience

Required: Experience working with and/or providing care to LGBT populations, Black and Latino community members; previous work experience providing HIV/STI treatment and/or prevention; previous HIV testing and counseling experience.
Preferred: Previous work experience with Chicago Department of Public Health or CDPH funded organization. Previous phlebotomy experience preferred. Knowledge of supportive services and resources in Chicago.

Competencies

Demonstrated effective leadership and teaching skills
Strong knowledge of Chicago social service resources
Strong knowledge of program subject matter
Willingness to attend necessary orientation and trainings through Chicago Department of Public Health and prior to start date
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Flexibility
Creativity
Ability to manage stressful situations
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines
Ability and/or willingness to provide HIV/STI treatment, education, and prevention in non-traditional settings (community venues)
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, and Word
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical skills
Ability to travel to various community venues across the metropolitan area
Ability to perform phlebotomy or a willingness to be trained in phlebotomy.