Community Outreach Worker

Job Description:

Under the direction of the Director of Social Services, the Community Outreach Worker (COW) is responsible for creating the expansion of HIV education, prevention, and outreach services beyond the health center to diagnose and link people with HIV into care. The COW will assist the Ryan White Program staff by providing patient support for people with an unknown HIV status, people who are at risk of contracting HIV, and people with HIV (PWH). In addition, the COW will provide community education regarding HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including prevention strategies and available treatment services. The COW will plan and participate in outreach activities in both clinical and community settings, complete Rapid HIV Testing, linkage to care and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) services for individuals at risk of contracting HIV. The COW will professionally represent SEMRHI Ryan White and HIV Prevention Programs on local, state, and national levels. The COW will assist the Ryan White Program staff, clinical staff, organizations, and community agencies to reengage PWH who are lost to care and those with a new HIV diagnosis. The demonstration of knowledge and skills to appropriately communicate and interact with staff, patients, families, and visitors of all age groups while being sensitive to diverse cultural and religious beliefs must be exhibited by the Community Outreach Worker.

Job Responsibilities:

• Creates and maintains a strategic outreach plan and tracking system for at-risk and resiliency factors of the intended patient population
• Expands HIV testing, including HIV self-tests, in non-healthcare community settings by distributing home HIV test kits to those who meet the initial screening criteria, and provide follow-up support
• Assists the clinical staff to complete and expand the integrated screening of HIV in conjunction with STIs, TB, and viral hepatitis for a syndemic and person-centered approach
• Implements and maintains an effective plan with measurable activities designed to increase the identification of people with a new HIV diagnosis and currently out of care, while supporting rapid linkage and re-engagement to care within 7 days of contact
• Assists the clinical staff to continue and expand early ART prescription for all people with a new HIV diagnosis
• Effectively supports and promotes awareness and expands current access and linkage to PrEP and PEP services
• Conducts an expanded effort of condom distribution, including the promotion and provision of condoms, within communities
• Organizes and conducts at least one outreach per SEMRHI’s designated counties per month in various community settings, such as schools, universities, community-based organizations (CBOs), correctional facilities, and clinical settings, etc., to provide HIV prevention and education, condom distribution and HIV testing to the intended population within the service area (Forrest, Lamar, Covington, Perry and Pearl River counties).
• Plans and conducts HIV testing days to test an additional 100 people annually
• Completes and documents Rapid HIV testing per policy and procedures and completes SEMRHI and MSDH Rapid HIV testing documents accurately within 72 hours of date of service.
• Collaborates continuously with community partners to incorporate a network of agencies that provide services for the intended patient population, determine and address unmet needs of said patient population
• Performs program evaluation and reporting accurately to determine long-term program impact by submitting monthly reports with specific measures by the tenth of each month.
• Completes and submits accurate written quarterly program reviews by the tenth of the month following the end of each quarter to revise goals and objectives as necessary to meet the needs of the patients and overall goal to treat people with HIV rapidly.
• Completes accurate data entry for all MSDH EHE HIV Prevention activities and Ryan White Program (RWP) funded services into EHR, CAREWare database, and other designated reporting systems for patients as needed.
• Documents face-to-face, telephone, Rapid HIV testing, and other patient-related encounters in the patient’s electronic health record and/or CAREWare within 72 hours of the date of service.
• Communicates effectively and timely with the Director of Social Services in the preparation of scheduling speaking engagements, community presentations, and outreach events.
• Participates in meetings of community groups, local organizations, professional groups, and regulatory agencies to promote the Ryan White and HIV prevention programs and services as assigned by Director of Social Services.
• Demonstrates positive personal attributes such as honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all aspects of the job.
• Maintains prompt and regular attendance.
• Complete all required training prior to deadline
• Performs related work, as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• High School diploma, associate degree, or experience in a health-related field preferred
• Experience in health education/promotion
• Valid MS driver’s license
• Must be willing to travel locally, state-wide, and nationally
• Proficient MS Office and typing skills required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including preparing reports, presentations, correspondence, and other documentation
• Ability to handle on-demand requests and deadline pressure
• Ability to work without supervision while handling workload

Physical and Other Requirements:

• Continuously listen, visualize, and have dexterity and eye-hand coordination
• Frequently sit, squat, reach, use both right and left forearm rotation, walk, and stand
• Occasionally kneel, twist, have ability to grasp firmly, lift, and carry, push, and pull in excess of 30 lbs.