CHI Health Navigation Specialist

Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. is seeking a CHI Health Navigation Specialist based in our Ithaca office. This position provides Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Hepatitis C (HCV) & Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention education, conduct adherence support and engagement activities for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C, promote linkage/referral services, and complete Transitional Planning services for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C who are reentering the community, within four correctional facilities located in the NYS New York State Department of Correctional & Community Services (NYS DOCCS) Elmira HUB. This position requires meeting with clients in the facility and out in the community.  The CHI Health Navigation Specialist reports directly to the CHI Coordinator.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the CHI Health Education Specialist include but are not limited to:

•  Assisting incarcerated individuals in preventing new HIV/HCV/STI infections, promote engagement in medical care with DOCCS to support medication adherence, and successfully transition individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C back into their home communities by:
• Offering HIV/HCV/STI information to ensure individuals incarcerated within the Elmira HUB receive information about transmission and prevention
• Work in conjunction with NYS DOCCS transitional and medical departments to coordinate reentry planning (Transitional Planning) for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C
• Conduct outreach to correctional facility personnel to assure interventions reach the most impactful and substantial audience possible in facility
• Provide single session Health Education and Risk Reduction sessions to individuals incarcerated within multiple HUB correctional facilities
• Enhancing existing NYS DOCCS HIV testing efforts to increase the number of undiagnosed persons who know HIV status and are promptly linked to care
• Integrating tailored stigma and discrimination reduction messaging in NYS DOCCS correctional facilities.

Additional responsibilities include the coordination and linkage among criminal justice, public health, and community-based agencies to address health and health care access for reentry population, including but not limited to:

• Facilitating prompt access to medical care and support services for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C individuals at any point during incarceration and up to six months following release/discharge to the community
• Strengthening self-management skills and motivate individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C and people who engage in high risk behaviors to identify and apply personal strengths and self-advocacy skills needed to achieve optimal health outcomes; and
• Offering HIV/STD/HCV peer education, training and support in NYS DOCCS correctional facilities; and
• Developing individual Linkage Action Plans for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C in preparation for release, including: medical, legal, housing, social, financial, transportation, food security, and other requested services; and
• Increasing awareness about treatment as prevention for individuals living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)/post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for those who engage in high risk behaviors; and
• Completing sufficient, accurate, and timely documentation of all interventions, activities, and communications during the above listed activities and all ongoing contacts with client.

Benefits

Excellent benefits package including: life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending plan and generous time off (24 days annually 11 paid holidays)

Salary

$18.00/hour working 35-hours per week, may vary depending upon experience

Salary : $18