The HIV Prevention Community Health Worker-Medical (CHW) provides a variety of direct services to Swope Health patients enrolled in the HIV Prevention Program including aiding communication between providers and patients, increasing access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies, advocating for the needs of the individual and community, assisting patients/caregivers with navigating healthcare systems, and promoting wellness by providing health coaching and support the patient to build capacity to achieve wellness.
The CHW may perform HIV Prevention program-specific functions under the direction of the HIV Prevention Nurse Care Manager, the Lead Community Health Worker, or the Chief Health Officer.

Primary Functions

1. Use standardized tools assess the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that may pose barriers to patients/clients accessing healthcare services and/or managing chronic illnesses.
2. Assist the patient in navigating and connecting with a variety of community agencies and resources to provide ongoing social, educational, vocational and recreational support and activities to address SDOH barriers. Act as a liaison between the patient and other agencies when necessary.
3. Effectively work with people (staff, patients, providers, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socioeconomic barriers between clients and institutions.
4. Assist with maintaining a library of HIV Prevention resources for other Swope Health staff to utilize.
5. Coordinate, in conjunction with the patient’s provider, the HIV Prevention Nurse Care Manager, and HIV program leadership, a navigation program for individuals to access HIV Prevention services including PrEP care.
6. Function as a primary point of contact for Swope Health HIV Prevention services.
7. Explain the purpose and services of the HIV Prevention program to the patient and the goals that the program or service strives to accomplish.
8. Assist with the development and implementation of HIV Prevention management/care plans with the patient and care team members (nurses, providers, social work).
9. Provide screening and decision support to individuals at risk for HIV; linking to PrEP care providers and HIV Nurse Care Manager.
10. Provide individual assessments to determine the HIV prevention needs of the clients whether test results are positive or negative and planning of prevention services.
11. Provides navigation to a prescribing PrEP provider, ensuring access, follow-up, and adherence to PrEP/PEP, including supportive services that can enhance risk reduction, behavior change, adoption, and maintenance.
12. Assist patient, providers, and HIV Prevention Nurse Care Manager in PrEP medication access through insurance payors, Ready, Set, PrEP, and prescription assistance programs.
13. Partners with Linkage to Care programs/agencies to assist in care navigation for individuals who test positive for HIV.
14. Performs follow-up risk assessments with individuals who test positive and negative for HIV to reinforce an individualized and realistic perception of risk.
15. Coach patients in effective management of HIV prevention including the use of PrEP medications and appropriate follow up.
16. Provide individual assistance to persons in navigating needed health care services including behavioral health, accompanying individuals to appointments to address medical or other health needs.
17. Travel extensively throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area when needed.
18. Establish positive, supportive relationships with patients and provide feedback to the care team. Facilitate communication and coordinate services between providers and departments.
19. Initiate other reports and records as required.
20. Motivate clients to be active, engaged participants in their health including HIV Prevention.
21. Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, series and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operation, functions, policies and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures and resources available to handle new, unusual of different situations.
22. Identify and apply appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications

1. High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2. Needs to be certified with a state approved CHW program with in 1 year of employment
3. Willingness to learn, excellent communication skills, cultural competence for the specific population.
4. Commitment to serving the community, shared values and experiences of the people being served.
5. Knowledge about health issues and the health care system.
6. Flexible schedule and transportation.
7. Good communication skills, speaking, writing, listening, prior use of electronic documentation systems preferred. Some positions.
8. Bilingual preferred.
9. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be respectful and honest, resolve conflict, and facilitate empowerment.
10. Ability to work independently, take initiative and be self-directed.
11. Ability to identify and use community resources
12. Must have current, valid driver’s license, transportation and appropriate automobile insurance and be able to drive extensively

Swope Health is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.