HEALTH EDUCATOR - FAITH-BASED OUTREACH

Job Role Summary

The health educator serves as the primary point of contact between the pastors and the faith-based health educator. This collaborative role involves supporting and promoting faith-based engagement by actively recruiting churches to participate in the faith-based initiative.  The health educator liaison must be motivated and willing to assist with HIV prevention education virtually or at faith locations. The health educator liaison provides consultation and guidance to faith locations and groups in the community through prevention outreach efforts and health fairs. Additionally, the health educator liaison assists in communicating and promoting the objectives and services of the Ending the HIV Epidemic. Be able to communicate with faith leaders, congregants, community organizations and professional groups.

Essential Duties

• Assists with the development of health education and risk reduction materials for faith-based communities and groups.
• Provides participant-centered HIV/STD counseling and testing sessions.
• Presents HIV/STD health education/prevention programs to faith-based communities.
• Provides and documents referrals for HIV testing & STD screenings.
• Achieves and maintains time and activity sheets and referral logs.
• Documents and enters participant demographics into data systems.
• Promotes prevention activities within faith-based communities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Director and Program Manager
• Provides referrals to assist participants with linkage to care for those persons who have an HIV reactive test result.

Associated Job Duties

• Provide referrals to those persons who are high-risk HIV negative to the PrEP navigator and offer referrals to other supportive services.
• Document all participant interventions in accordance with established MCPHD policies/procedures and demonstrate compliance with all program policies.
• Collaborate with faith-based and community agencies to strategically develop and implement plans to reduce barriers to wellness and increase access to care.
• Establish and maintain relationships with faith-based and community organizations to coordinate access to counseling, testing and referral services.
• Maintain documentation and records, including participant data, location information, and daily activities.
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions, as well as meetings with faith leaders.
• Participate in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in response to public health emergencies, as directed
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually.
• This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The employee may be asked to perform other duties as needed to support departmental and organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Sociology, Psychology, Social Services, or other Public Health related fields, or a minimum of one year of experience in providing direct services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
• Preferred: Bilingual – English/Spanish, knowledge of HIV/STDs, PrEP, and Hepatitis C, the Ryan White Continuum of Care, strong socio-cultural identification or work experience with MSM and SU communities.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Required: Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors, STDs, human sexuality, and HIV behavior change principles and strategies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Great attitude and people skills; strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure work environment.
• Ability to master a wide range of information, adapt, take initiative, and work in a team-centered environment.
• Experience and knowledge MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relations; maintain confidentiality of data, information, and activities.
• Working knowledge of Electronic Medical Record software is a plus.