SUMMARY:

Provide peer support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families to promote increased client involvement in their health care.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ability and willingness to accept direction from supervisor.
2. Work collaboratively with primary care and other staff to identify newly diagnosed clients or clients re-entering care who can benefit from peer support.
3. Meet with newly diagnosed and clients re-entering or transferring care to provide peer support, by offering hope and living proof that living with the disease is possible.
4. Must exhibit the ability to problem-solve and handle crisis management-including when to seek clinical advice or intervention.
5. Provide health education and follow-up to new clients once they have been assigned a case manager.
6. Support clients in navigating the health care system, medication regimens, lifestyle changes, and community resources.
7. Per Ryan White Program guidelines, enhance engagement in care and adherence by conducting appointment reminder calls, coordinating transportation to and from appointments/meetings, etc.
8. Document Peer Contact (i.e., face-to-face or phone).
9. Complete and maintain required documentation and forms.
10. Always maintain confidentiality and ethical practices.
11. Promote and foster a welcoming and client-centered environment.
12. Seek out and provide recommendations on how to improve the program.
13. Work collaboratively with staff to plan and implement client-centered support.
14. Participate in appropriate meetings, including community meetings on CareSouth's and/or the client's behalf.
15. Co-facilitate and coordinate CareSouth's RW monthly Consumer Advisor Board Meeting along with fellow Patient Support Specialist or designee.
16. Arrange travel for RW clients to and from meetings and health care appointments.
17. Promote medical and treatment adherence and increased involvement with self-care by accompanying clients on medical appointments.
18. Encourage community involvement.
19. Participate in community outreach activities.
20. Follow all guidelines & procedures related to time and attendance management (clocking in & out, reviewing timecard, requesting edit sheets, etc.).
21. Report any significant concerns to supervisor in a timely manner.
22. Comply with training requirements and forward to Human Resources and Ryan White Program Manager or designee for record retention.

1. Supports the mission and vision of CareSouth Medical & Dental; comply with CareSouth's Employee Handbook policies and procedures.
2. Works professionally as a team member in conjunction with other department employees and organization.
3. Must be willing to travel within Region 2 Service Area.
4. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Minimum REQUIREMENTS:

1. High School diploma or equivalent preferred.
2. Must be a previous or current client of Ryan White or eligible for Ryan White services and be willing to share HIV status and life experiences with clients.
3. Must have 1 year experience in this or a related field.
4. Must have the ability to work independently and seek guidance when necessary.
5. Must have good interpersonal skills with ability to relate to diverse groups of people and people on all levels.
6. Must be able to work with the diversity of multicultural community ( i.e., ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc.) ,
7. Ability to work required work schedule.
8. Good writing, verbal, telephone, and time management skills.
9. Must be proficient in the use of computers and computer systems.

SUPERVISES:

None.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

1. Visual acuity - always
2. Hand - eye coordination - always
3. Work is primarily sedentary. Large amounts of time may be spent using a PC and MIS application.
4. May climb stairs in various office settings.
5. Lifting, Pushing, Pulling - sometimes up to 50 lbs.
6. Stooping, Bending, Sitting - sometimes.
7. Walking- frequent; short distances
8. Indoor, environmentally controlled; some outdoor weather element exposure
9. Exposure to disease or infections
10. No vibrations
11. Exposure to artificial and/or natural light

EVALUATION TYPE:

Operations