HIV Engagement Specialist

Position Purpose: 

The HIV Engagement Specialist will assist the Data to Care Team in developing and implementing a client identification and engagement strategy. They will conduct outreach, including in-person field and home visits with clients, establish regular communication to build rapport and provide support. The specialist will also coordinate referrals and linkages to Medical Care, Medical Care Coordination (MCC), and other support services.

This position entails close collaboration with the Medical Care Coordination staff to link and retain patients in HIV case management and medical care. The specialist will work closely with the MCC Team, consisting of a Nurse, Social Worker, Case Manager, and Retention Outreach Worker, to deliver both medical and non-medical case management activities to patients.

Principal Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a client identification and engagement strategy.
2. Conduct outreach, including in-person field and home visits with clients.
3. Conduct regular communication with clients to establish rapport and support clients.
4. Coordinate referrals and linkages to medical care, Medical Care Coordination, and support services.
5. Create liaisons with HIV testing sites to assist in linking newly diagnosed patients to the MCC team.
6. Identify patients eligible for MCC from various data sources, including registration records.
7. Register and conduct intakes for eligible patients.
8. Perform data entry activities in DHSP’s data management system and in the population health.
9. Participate as a member of the health care team in interviewing patients to obtain information about home environment, family relationships, and personality traits that may have a bearing on the patient's illness, treatment, and recovery.
10. Participate in team conferences and share social information and evaluations with other health care disciplines to develop the most effective care plan for the patient.
11. Conduct ongoing interviews with patients to determine any new needs not identified in the initial assessment sessions with the MCC Team. Convey information to the Team Members to update and/or modify the care plan.
12. Assist patients and the MCC team in addressing socioeconomic needs that impact the patient's ability to access and adhere to HIV care and treatment. Coordinate related referrals, e.g., housing, transportation, financial support, and benefits.
13. Utilize electronic medical record queries to track patient-level health outcomes and identify patients in need of MCC.
14. Assist with patient file documentation regarding referral linkages or patient monitoring activities.
15. Maintain accurate patient files for continuous quality management reviews by DHSP.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or equivalent social science degree; and at least one year of experience caring for LGBTQIA PLWH or
2. High school diploma, or high school diploma equivalency (e.g., demonstrated experience or certification as a health educator, demonstrated experience providing HIV health education, and/or relevant lived experience); and at least three years of experience caring for LGBTQIA PLWH.
3. Experience with outreach and/or case management with the HIV population.
4. Two years of experience in a health care setting.
5. Evidence of recent education in LGBTQIA PLWH.

Preferred:

1. Bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency.
2. Six (6) months of experience working in a clinical setting.
3. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team with other members of the clinical and case management team.
4. Capability to research, identify, and access community referrals.
5. Understanding of patient confidentiality and awareness of the legal consequences of failure to abide.
6. Effective verbal and written communication skills.
7. Computer literate.
8. Knowledge of substance use, homelessness, mental illness, and other issues affecting the client population.
9. Organized, with the ability to maintain client files, charts, and referral results.
10. Basic computer skills, including knowledge of word processing, data entry, and Internet research.
11. Strong quality management skills to ensure compliance with all guidelines and regulations.

*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits

JWCH Institute, Inc., offers competitive salaries for all positions. Employees working 30 hours per week or more are provided a monthly allowance which can be used towards medical, dental, and vision premiums. The agency offers sick leave, vacation time, 13 paid holidays, 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan, mileage reimbursement, short term and long tern disability plans, life insurance policies, employee parking and more !

Wesley Health Centers JWCH Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer!