Early Intervention Specialist/CHW – Outreach Specialist -Austin

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Site Team Leader, the Early intervention/Outreach Specialist (EIS) will provide enhanced care coordination services to patients/clients living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Will work with the community, agency, and individuals by identifying, linking with, engaging with, and assisting individuals living with HIV in Chicago’s Austin and Greater Westside community. The EIS will promote awareness of HIV status and re-engage/retain patients in care met through field and community activities in Austin as well as other CCHIP sites. EIS will coordinate social media activities with other Austin CBC Initiative team members. The EIS will also assist with community-based outreach and HIV screening and refer HIV-positive patients to HIV primary care/other support services and HIV-negative patients to PrEP services. EIS will maintain current knowledge base of HIV transmission, treatment, and disease; interpretation of HIV tests and lab results; and other related HIV issues, including topics relevant to the Chicago Area HIV Integrated Services Council (CAHISC). The EIS will work closely with the Austin CBC Initiative, Austin Health Center Providers and Site Team Leader to ensure proper continuation and expansion of PrEP patient navigation and adherence counseling program at Austin. EIS will conduct telephone consultations, office visits, home visits, referrals and case conferencing to patients on the margin of care and lost-to-care. Appropriate specialty care referrals will also be made on the behalf of the clients, externally and internally. EIS will assist with client eligibility verification and assist clients with enrolling into Medical Case Management. The Specialist will participate in administrative meetings and staff development meetings, representing health promotion and prevention issues, activities, goals and outcomes. EIS will work with the site Peers.

Specific Responsibilities

• Participates in CCHIP Domain 1 and 2 meetings, activities and program planning.
• Identification of “On the Margin” patients who need partner services.
• Conducts outreach, including home visits to lost to care and on the margin patients, recruitment, counseling, and risk reduction counseling on at risk populations. Collaborate with CBOs in the westside of Chicago and create Linkage Agreements for community testing/outreach events.
• Conducts linkage to care, health education/literacy assessment, specialty care referrals and enrollment and eligibility verification activities on newly diagnosed persons and or out care persons.
• Perform POC rapid HIV testing, pre/posttest counseling at fixed and community sites throughout The Cook County Health System.
• Refers vulnerable HIV population to PrEP services with in the CCHIP program
• Identifies PrEP eligible clients and links them to appropriate services.
• Provides education about Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and other effective biomedical and prevention interventions; refers eligible, interested clients to primary care medical services at CCH sites to further discuss PEP and other preventive care with an Austin CBC medical provider.
• Facilitation of non-medical case management referrals and documentation
• Provide education about re-engagement services, supportive services; refer eligible, interested clients to primary care medical services at CCH sites to further discuss retention to care, viral suppression and other preventive care with an Austin CBC medical provider.
• Conduct individual sessions with individuals newly diagnosed with HIV
• Able to comprehend and articulate the “treatment cascade” to patients and providers
• Community case finding activities, including outreach and home visits
• Provide patient, provider, and community education on HIV and related topics
• Work closely with other agency programs and staff to address needs of community, agency, and grant scopes
• Develop and coordinate linkage agreements and service delivery with external community-based organizations.
• Engage newly diagnosed and/or lost-to-care patients into primary care
• Complete and maintain all required documentation in accordance with agency, local, state, and Federal guidance.
• Participate in pre-clinic case conferences and planning with care coordination team inperson or by phone.
• Enters client encounters and services delivered into the Care Ware System/Provide® and electronic medical record as prescribed under this enhanced care coordination model.
• Make referral and linkages to HIV medical care, assist client with gathering necessary.
• Eligibility documentation for Ryan White services (including but not limited to Identification and/or birth record documents, residency documentation and income Verification).
• Under the supervision of the Site Team Leader, conducts retention, makes appointments and appointment reminder calls.
• Works some nights and weekends at Outreach/Testing events.
• Assist with data entry and charting for the psychosocial groups.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field preferred, Some experience as an HIV-related educator and counselor desired. outreach work experience a plus. Knowledge of and experience in HIV care and support services and/or a similar or related field preferred.  Have fundamental knowledge in HIV Prevention and Education preferred, HIV Testing & Counseling certification preferred but Austin CBC Initiative/CCHIP is willing to train and certify the right candidate.  Demonstrated cultural competence working with diverse populations, ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Including MSM, those recently released from incarceration, sex workers, individuals of extremely low income, substance users and/or those in recovery, and homeless individuals. Experienced HIV Counselors / Testers are strongly encouraged to apply. Knowledge of HIV and related topics is highly beneficial. Ability to work within a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. Ability and flexibility to work nights and weekends. Strong oral communication skills, including experience conducting presentations and group interventions. Computer proficiency is preferred as well as the ability to meet deadlines. A valid driver’s license with appropriate auto insurance and a functional vehicle is preferred as the EIS/CHW must be able to access city and suburban sites. The candidate is required to be able to get around to doing home visits and also to cover community events during non-traditional hours when needed. Comfort and ability to go into the community, including home site visits.  Personal experience and knowledge of west/northwest suburbs are beneficial.

Candidate must possess:

Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.  Good computer skills including Microsoft office suite including Teams. Ability to assist clients with diverse psychosocial needs Motivation and self-direction; ability to prioritize competing responsibilities.  Skills related to leadership, motivation, group dynamics, and client retention computer competency, including the ability to enter and access data relevant to program, required.  Ability to work as a member of a care coordination team as well as autonomously in meeting client.  Ability to work with other community-based human services organizations. Sensitivity to populations at increased risk for HIV transmission (through injectable drug use, men who have sex with men, exposure to an intravenous drug user, high-risk sexual activities such as commercial sex, street, and homelessness)  Sensitivity to ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, values, beliefs, and behaviors flexibility with client’s priorities, evolving needs, and goals.  Ability to enter and track data through internal data system (CareWare/ Provide® /Electronic Medical Records) Ability to meet deadlines Ability to work some nights and weekends and carry 10 lb. boxes as needed is required

Equal Opportunity Employer