What are the responsibilities and job description for the Health Educator/ Infectious Disease Tester-VP position at Argus Community Inc?
Job Title: Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester
Department: One Argus Testing Department
Reports To: VP of Care Coordination Services/VP of Prevention Services
Location: Argus Headquarters
Job Summary:
The Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester works within multiple Argus Community and affiliate testing programs to increase the availability of HIV/HCV/STI testing, make counseling and testing available on and off-site, providing testing to all participants so they can
learn their status, and refer those who test positive to a medical care facility.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Upholds and adheres to the Argus Community Policy and Procedures Manual
- Reports to the Vice President of Care Coordination Services and Vice President of Prevention Services.
- Conducts field and agency screening activities to identify those whose HIV/HCV/STI status is unknown to them.
- Uses culturally sensitive best practices to increase the availability and offering of rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing.
- Ensures Pre-test and post-test counseling sessions and testing are to be delivered in a confidential manner, although pre-test counseling is not a pre-requisite to testing.
- Properly label, handle, and transport specimens following departmental policies, sort specimens received and process specimens for delivery to laboratory departments.
- Complete partner services and NYS provider report form on all new HIV/STI diagnoses to health department and partner with field services unit on contact tracing related matters.
- Provides HIV/HCV/STI awareness/education sessions including but not limited to HIV/HCV/STI prevention, risk reduction, PEP and PrEP.
- Ensures that individuals who test positive are successfully linked to medical care including confirming kept initial appointments while maintaining compliance with confidentiality regulations including 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA.
- Ensures referrals are made for those who test positive to supportive services including but not limited to mental health care, Health Home or Ryan White care management/care coordination, entitlements services, syringe exchange programs, NYC DOHMH partner notification services, and peer support programs.
- Maintains client case records that delineate involvement in the service and are maintained in accordance with applicable state and federal confidentiality laws.
- Assists with program data entry, including supporting documentation for required funder reporting.
- Completes appropriate documentation of counseling and educational sessions.
- Maintains organized filing system, and submits all paperwork and documentation to program staff by designated deadline.
- Assists with health education and workshop event planning.
- Attends all required staff meetings and trainings.
- Responsible for all other duties or assignments given by the VP of Care Coordination, VP of Prevention Services, CSO and CEO.
Qualifications/Criteria:
- 2 years of Health Educator or comparable experience
- Experience as a communicable disease Pre-test/Post-test Counselor and Tester. Certification preferred
- Experience facilitating group education workshops and providing one-on-one health counseling, support and information
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to travel to identified testing sites
- Flexibility with work schedule. Able to work nights and occasional weekends
- Basic Microsoft Office skills
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
Education:
- Minimum High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and/or fingerprinting (department-dependent), which will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment in adherence to NYC Fair Chance Act guidelines.
Salary : $47,500