Health Educator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Health Educator will be responsible for implementing the Young, Outstanding Unique (YOU!) program for sexually active youth and those who identify as LGBTQIA , ages 13-24 in the Harlem/South Bronx catchment area. The position will participate in recruiting for, organizing and facilitating the health education workshops, conducting street-based outreach, conducting HIV and STI testing, promoting HIV, substance misuse, overdose prevention education, distributing  Naloxone and fentanyl testing kits and PlanB, and providing referrals to primary care services, social services and HIV prevention, and actively posting social media content on HIV/substance misuse education targeting youth audiences.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

1.     Organize, facilitate and lead health education workshops/curriculum activities and group discussion utilizing strong group facilitation skills. Identify sites and locations to facilitate the workshops to youth and administer pre-and-post tests during workshops. Long term outcomes include a reduction in the number of youth contracting STIs and HIV in the catchment area, reduction in substance misuse and increase in knowledge around prevention methods.

2.     Increase awareness of HIV, STIs, substance misuse, overdose risks, and pregnancy prevention by delivering interactive educational workshops in local schools, colleges and through street outreach. 

3.     Expand access to HIV/STI screening and testing services and link youth to support services, including navigation to medical care, substance misuse programs, and HIV and STI care and treatment. 

4.     Ensure access to overdose prevention methods by educating participants on the use of Naloxone and fentanyl testing kits and PlanB and provided access to condoms and safer sex products. 

5.     Develop and implement culturally responsive public messaging and social media messages that raise awareness about substance misuse and HIV risks on TikTok and Instagram. Social media success will be measured through engagement, views, likes and sharing/tagging of posts. 

6.     Continuous formative evaluation to capture behavior change within the intervention population. Participate in overall program evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. 

7.     Partners with other community-based organizations, such as medical and service providers and HIV organizations, to cultivate and maintain linkage agreements for reciprocal services and to generate referrals for youth.

8.     Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Community Health Initiatives and other senior staff.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education:                               Bachelor Degree in Human Services or related field or equivalent educational and work experience.  HIV, Hepatitis C and STI testing experience preferred.  

Experience:                             Minimum of one (1) year of group facilitation and outreach experience working with the target population.    

Other Requirements: Strong group facilitation skills; knowledge and understanding of HIV prevention, treatment, and care; excellent communication skills; and proficiency in the use of personal computers. Bilingual preferred. Ability to manage social media platforms and create content.

Welcome to Iris House!

Iris House saves lives through comprehensive support, prevention and education services for women, families, and under served populations affected by HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in a safe, family-centered environment by passionate, professional and culturally competent staff.

Iris House was named for early HIV Activist Iris De La Cruz, whose passion for our cause was instrumental in establishing our programs.

To fulfill our mission, Iris House offers practical, family-centered services that promote prevention and education while addressing the day-to-day realities of living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Depression and other health disparities plaguing our communities.