Community Health Navigator (Peer)

TITLE: Community Health Navigator (Peer)
REPORTS TO: Director of Outreach
JOB STATUS: Full-Time
JOB LOCATION: Elgin & Aurora Health Centers & travel throughout Kane County & DeKalb County to outreach

Excellent Benefits we offer YOU:

• Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Plans w/ BCBS
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
• Start with 20 Paid Time Off (PTO) Days a Year!
• Tuition Reimbursement & Continuing Education Reimbursement!
• 14 Paid Holidays per year!
• 401K matching plan after a year of service (we match 5% of your yearly salary)!
• Mileage Reimbursement anytime you drive!
• Once a week complimentary catered lunches!

Training & Growth Opportunities for YOU

• We promote from within whenever possible
• Employee workshops on a variety of topics & weekly catered lunches!

About Us:
Open Door is a regional, patient centered health care organization that provides services including education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services to those who have or are at risk for Sexually transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS, in addition to the greater LGBTQIA community. Open Door provides medical care, mental health care & support services to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Our centers located in both Elgin and Aurora addressing primary care and specialized services to eliminate disparities in healthcare.

Job Description:
The role of the Community Health Navigator contributes to Open Door Health Center’s mission by providing friendly information, education, and prompt linkage to care services to our clients and to the Kane, DeKalb, DuPage, and McHenry Counties, and the Suburban Cook community. The Community Health Navigator will be responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating activities of the outreach department and the HIV & STI testing program as directed by the Director of Outreach and in accordance with program and funding source guidelines.

The Community Health Navigator will work independently and with other team members in the outreach department and program to develop strategies that will lead to long-term involvement of community institutions, organizations and individuals in health promotion, testing, and education activities through creating MOU’s and partnerships as testing sites, as well as condom drop-offs. They must have reliable transportation as they will travel to testing sites and conduct condom drop-offs in the communities listed above.

As a Community Health Navigator, you will be a vital part in helping Open Door with our mission to provide compassionate care and education to the community and to our clients. These duties allow the opportunity to engage and outreach to the community and educate those at risk. Caring, personable and relatable Community Health Navigators enhance the probability of clients returning for services in the future.

The Community Health Navigator can help the Open Door team further develop by contributing a team centered attitude and developing new outreach strategies to reach and educate more of the community. In addition, they will give feedback to their manager about how services could be improved for new or lost to care clients.

The Community Health Navigator will work to identify and provide services to HIV individuals who are newly diagnosed, new to HIV care, or previously diagnosed but disconnected from care. This individual will provide appointment adherence support and transmission prevention counseling to those living with HIV/AIDS.

Responsibilities will include but not limited to the following:

• Provide education and HIV/STI testing to high-risk individuals through community programs, events, partnerships and to persons that request testing services at our clinics.
• Provide referrals and linkage to services identified during intake
• Track referral compliance and continuously work to engage client in resources
• Track client data, demographic information and other data to be entered into appropriate databases
• Maintain a weekly tracking log for all people tested in the community, any MOU's initiated, and any new partnerships for testing formed
• Ensure that all appropriate agency documentation concerning client participation in services are complete, up to date and compliant with further requirements
• Maintain confidentiality of all medical records by maintain HIPPA guidelines when handling client information
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements:

• An Associate’s Degree or at least 2 years of experience in similar role.
• Min 1-year experience with intimate knowledge of HIV and local HIV resources including navigating through the healthcare system or equivalent training and experience.
• Experience working with the LGBTQIA community.
• Knowledge of peer advocacy, health education, treatment adherence, risk reduction strategies.
• Proficient computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office; Outlook & Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Discretion and confidentiality, following all HIPAA regulations.
• Working knowledge of Client Level Databases.
• Analytical abilities and aptitude in problem-solving.
• Highly organized multitasker who works well in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of attention to detail and discretion.

This position is a full-time, hourly position with excellent benefits. Open Door Health Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Aurora, IL 60505 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Aurora, IL 60505: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aurora, IL 60505