Position Overview:

To promote and support access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to those at high risk of contracting HIV by: identifying HIV-negative individuals at high-risk for HIV through testing and outreach activities, offering education about Ryan’s PrEP services to high-risk negative individuals (HRNs), assisting in the screening of individuals for eligibility for PrEP services, and providing navigation services (including regular follow-up and referral to services) for patients on PrEP.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct promotion and patient recruitment for Ryan’s PrEP services, in collaboration with the Network’s Prevention, Education, and Outreach (PEO) team, in venues/locations/neighborhoods where high-risk negative (HRN) individuals convene, with a focus on young men of color who have sex with men (YMSM).
• Provide individual and group sessions to educate community members about PrEP and the Center’s PrEP services and/or PEP to PrEP services.
• In cooperation with the Center’s clinical and support staff conduct patient recruitment for PrEP services among HRNs with a focus on YMSM of color.
• Complete non-medical assessments of patients for PrEP services.
• Develop linkages between health care and mental health providers, drug treatment programs, local social service agencies, and other resources to assure continuity of care of patients.
• Provide navigation services to link Ryan’s PrEP and PEP patients to Primary Care, Medication Adherence, HIV Prevention, and other services, as appropriate.
• Conduct care planning activities (e.g., scheduling appointments, monitoring appointment adherence, preparing bi-annual care plan, etc.) for all PrEP patients in partnership with patient care teams (e.g., medical provider, nursing staff, etc.).
• Conduct follow-up and (re)engagement activities for PrEP patients not adherent to PrEP-related medical visits.
• Advocate on patients’ behalf to ensure patients receiving PrEP services are connected to all relevant and available entitlements, including enrollment in insurance assistance programs (e.g., PrEP-AP).
• Implement quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives related to the increased utilization and efficiency of PrEP services.
• Conduct HIV Testing utilizing all available methods, including Inverness Medical ClearView Rapid HIV- ½ AntibodyTesting, OraSure and OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid Testing.
• Practice accepted infection measure in accordance with OHSA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals to emergency services.
• Refer patients with overt psychiatric problems to psychiatric practitioners.
• Collaborate and consult with team and other service providers in identifying service gaps and care planning, disposition and closure.
• Provide home, hospital or community site visits and escort, as appropriate.
• Translate and interpret for medical practitioners and patients, when necessary and appropriate.
• Attend required meetings, case conference and supervision, as assigned.
• Assist in the provision of presentations to Ryan staff about PrEP as assigned.
• Attend professional conferences, in-service seminars and meetings, as assigned.
• Immediately report any problems/unusual occurrences to supervisor.
• Must demonstrate a professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, immediate supervisor and other employees.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served.
• Perform other duties assigned.

Competencies Required:

Customer Service:

• Professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (if applicable)
• Commits to exceeding expectations of the patient

Cooperation/Teamwork

• Works well with others
• Contributes input to improve outcomes
• Asks others for opinions and feedback, provides feedback in a tactful & respectful way

Education, Experience and/or Skills Required:

• BSW or BA in Health or Human Services or equivalent years of experience providing supportive services to the targeted population (HRN) required.
• Testing experience required.
• At least two years of experience providing educational or social services to HIV positive patients and/or providing sexual or HIV education services to the targeted population (HRN).
• Effective communication and writing skills.
• Proven track record of organization, attention to detail and ability to respond promptly to requests, anticipate organizational needs, and maintain efficient office operations.
• Strong computer literacy with proficiency in standard office software/hardware such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Education, Experience and/or Skills Preferred:

• Spanish or French speaking preferred.

Minimal Training Time:

Three month probationary period.

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk and hear.

The employee is occasionally required to move about the office; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate office equipment.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed primarily in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment may vary. Field visits and outreach are also performed at homes, hospitals or other services agencies.

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ryan Network is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate because of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to attracting, retaining and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.