Description

POSITION TITLE: HIV PEER NAVIGATOR 

REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor/Non-Clinical Supervisor 

SUPPORTS: Medical and Non-Medical Case Managers

SUPERVISES: N/A

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This hourly position provides outreach, engagement, intervention, social support and HIV education for HIV individuals and their family members adhering to Caracole standards of care. The position is Full time, but Part time would be considered at the applicant's request. Peer Navigators provide structured, time-limited interventions in collaboration with client’s case management team, offer formal and informal support services, and educate those living with HIV about self-care. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a high school diploma or GED or equivalent skills, with at least one year working in an office setting including proven ability to work in a team environment. Must complete Certified Peer Recovery Supporter Certification within 90 days of hire. Demonstrated experience in navigating HIV/AIDS service networks, entitlement programs and other community services. Proven ability to work harmoniously with ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse groups of individuals. Life Experience with HIV (Self, family member, risk group- CaraClient) preferred. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly connect, welcome and engage HIV individuals who are newly diagnosed or re-engaging in care through frequent communication and active and compassionate listening. 
• Provide appropriate one-on-one and/or group-level social and emotional support. Assist clients in registering for the Positive Peers app as an electronic form of social support. 
• Provide education and coaching regarding increased understanding of diagnosis, safer sex and drug practices, risk reduction, wellness, treatment adherence, and the importance of linkage to medical care. 
• Effectively utilize relationship building and personal experiences to build clients’ engagement, comfort and trust with their HIV care team. Support clients in communicating their needs to case managers and other service providers. 
• Assist clients with appointment reminders and transportation planning for medical and service appointments.
• Plan and participate in social/outreach events and educational events for client engagement. 
• Demonstrate positive boundaries to maintain the health and safety of clients and staff. 
• Assist marketing and prevention staff in developing brochures, communications, incentives and resource tools that are appropriate and welcoming to partner populations.
• Serve as a role model in maintaining selfcare, healthcare, medication engagement, and personal support systems. 
• Maintain client medical records as required by regulatory or funding agencies and Caracole. Meet all required deadlines for documentation.
• Meet with clients by phone/telehealth, in office and/or the community.
• Maintain a collaborative working relationship with Caracole team members. 
• Participate in individual/group supervision meetings, regional and local collaborative planning efforts, and quality management activities.
• Identify and pursue educational opportunities to promote professional growth.
• Represent Caracole in the community. 
• Other duties assigned.

Requirements

 REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Lived experience with Caracole services, HIV, chronic illness, housing instability, substance use or other HIV risk factors.
• Open to discussing and building on personal experience while maintaining self-care boundaries.
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in verbal, print, and electronic communications.
• Able to read, write, speak and understand English. 
• Sensitivity to persons living with chronic disease (HIV/AIDS and/or addiction) and co-existing social, mental and physical conditions.
• Basic office computer abilities. 
• Able to make and keep appointments in office and in the community.
• Bilingual (Sp/En) preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position includes time spent working in office, remote at home, and in the community. Part time would be approximately 16-20 hours per week. Full time would be 30-40 hours per week Part or Full Time would include infrequent planned evening and weekend work. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk, hear; use hands and fingers, operate a telephone and computer. The employee is frequently required to move throughout the building and to travel to other sites in the community. Some site visits may involve stairs. Employee must have reliable transportation and ability to travel to other sites and meetings as needed. Driver’s license and car preferred but not required. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. COVID 19 vaccination (or waiver) required upon hire. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position is full time, hourly: $19.00/hr (approx. $39,520 annually). Part time could be considered at the applicant's request. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance, EAP, and 401K. We are a progressive, dynamic human services organization and a great place to work!

Reflective of our strategic and client needs, we are proactively seeking a diverse applicant pool including applicants who are African American, English as a Second language, immigrants, veterans, LGBTQ , individuals with disabilities and/or people with lived experience of HIV or homelessness.