Prevention Specialist

Department: Prevention Department
Reports To: Prevention Manager
Location: Coos & Curry County
Position Types: 0.5 - 0.65 FTE, 20-26 Hours/Week, Non-Exempt
Work Type: In Person, Not Hybrid/Remote Eligible
Salary Range: $20.50-$21.73 Per Hour
Salary Note: Bilingual candidates are eligible for an additional $1.50 Bilingual Differential. This Bilingual Differential is not included in the salary range above.
Benefits Available: Read more at http://hivalliance.org/employment/benefits
Agency Overview: Read more at https://hivalliance.org/engage/careers-at-hivalliance/
External Applicants: Apply directly through our website, via the Agency Overview link. All applicants must submit a complete job application, supplemental questions, and resume via the job portal to be considered.
Internal Applicants: Apply via email, following the emailed application instructions

Position Summary: The Prevention Specialist will work with and support the Prevention/Program Manager in the coordination of Counseling Testing Referral Services (CTRS), including supervising volunteers, and providing HIV client-centered counseling and needle exchange (NEX) to high-risk populations. The Prevention Specialist will also work as a Disease Intervention Specialist, conducting contact tracing, risk reduction education, assessment and referral services and health literacy education for people at risk or living with HIV, STIs and TB.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Record and maintain data related to CTRS & NEX
• Manage quality assurance related to CTRS & NEX
• Supervise testing site operations & NEX
• Provide counseling, testing and referral services.
• Collaborate with volunteers to recruit high-risk populations into CTRS
• Provide needle exchange services and advocate for treatment and medical services for injection drug users.
• Support Volunteer Coordinator in recruitment, of volunteers and interns.
• Provide volunteer training and on-site volunteer supervision
• Attend workshops and trainings that are relevant to job responsibilities and which will encourage professional development and program growth.
• Help foster community involvement, support and effective collaboration.
• Participate in agency collaborative processes and committees.
• Present to community and partner agencies on HIV and program.
• Receive and respond to referral requests
• Maintain up-to-date HIV knowledge
• Provide HIV education to clients and community partners
• Conduct searches for community resources and housing
• Assist the client in navigating through the healthcare system by providing information and advocacy and modeling appropriate communication
• Assist clients in accessing pharmacy services needed to obtain medications
• Transport clients to and from community resources
• Obtain Authorization for Release of Information between HIVA & Medical Providers
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate client records
Other tasks as assigned, including training/cross-training other staff as needed

Required Qualifications:

• One-year experience working with people at risk for HIV, degree in related field, or combination of experience and education that would be considered equivalent
• Willingness to work with marginalized, underserved populations, including but not limited to the LGBTQIA community, people who inject drugs, people who are unhoused, sex workers, and those engaging in behavior with high risk for HIV
• Office administrative technology skills, such as Microsoft and/or Google Suite
• Comfortable (or willingness to become comfortable) handling safer injection, smoking, and/or safer sex supplies; supporting harm reduction and client-centered prevention processes; discussing sex, drug use, HIV/AIDs, and related topics
• Willingness to operate in an appropriate self-directed manner once trained
• TB test (provided at agency)
• Valid Oregon driver’s license, or valid out of state driver’s license with the ability to get an Oregon driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in Oregon, and a driving record sufficient to be covered by agency auto insurance policy
• Ability to pass agency criminal background check
(Preferred) Knowledge of unique issues affecting high-risk communities and culturally relevant interventions for the various populations the agency serves

Professional Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Management (proactively communicates effectively, listens carefully to others, exhibits acceptable standards of conduct, deals effectively with others in difficult situations, works to reduce tension & conflict)
• Organizational Awareness (takes time to learn about agency culture, policies, and procedures; recognizes and balances the interest and impact of one’s department with those of other departments, programs, and the agency as a whole)
• Embraces Change (actively identifies problems and opportunities for change, implements solutions where appropriate, maintains effectiveness & adjusts well when experiencing changes in work tasks, environment, processes, and requirements)
• Living the Agency Vision & Values (demonstrates an understanding of agency vision and values, keeping the vision and values at the forefront of decision making)
• Client & Customer Focused (keeps client and customer needs a primary focus; develops and sustains productive relationships with clients, customers, & partners)
Valuing Diversity (appreciates and leverages the capabilities, insights, & ideas of all individuals; works effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, & motivation)

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Repetitively use hands, including grasping, twisting/turning of wrists, and finger dexterity to perform various necessary clerical duties, such as typing and writing
• Frequently use arms, such as pushing & pulling to open/close doors, cabinets, etc.
• Sit and/or stand for extended periods of time at an assigned station
• Bend, stand, & reach to be able to transport clients and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for tasks such as building kits & assembling testing/educational materials
• Use continuous clarity of vision at 20 inches or less for processing of paperwork

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.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment:

The duties of this job require individuals to be able to work in non-traditional and community-based settings. Additionally, the duties of this job include travel to other locations necessary to complete essential job functions, including the ability to transport self to job-related events and locations. This role requires regular reliable attendance, including:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. More specifically, must be able to work before 7am, after 7pm, and on weekends
• Ability to work 4-5 days per week for a minimum of 20-26 hours per week (Part-Time)
• Ability to work in loud, crowded, busy, or escalated environments
• Ability to drive at night and during various weather conditions safely