PEER NAVIGATOR/TREATMENT ADHERENCE SPECIALIST (50080309)

Job Role Summary

This position plays a pivotal role in helping engage or re-engage persons living with HIV, PLWH, into treatment and care programs. Incumbent will work with individuals to provide reliable and relevant information to help the client overcome barriers that may prevent engagement, retention, or re-engagement in treatment. This position will engage, coach, and mentor clients in developing skills needed to ensure treatment retention, medication adherence, and viral suppression. This is a grant funded position and continued employment is contingent upon receipt of the grant.

Associated Job Duties

• Work collaboratively with primary care providers and case management staff to identify newly diagnosed patients who can benefit from peer support 
• Provide an orientation to care and guide participants through each step of care initiation, talk through participant concerns and assess their needs 
• Teach and help participants to navigate the care system and how to access needed services through the Ryan White Program 
• Educate participants on the health benefits of medical care engagement, retention, HIV medication adherence, and viral suppression 
• Encourage participants to engage or re-engage in HIV medical care by addressing barriers preventing them achieving optimal health outcomes 
• Attend HIV care service appointments, as feasible and appropriate, with participants and facilitate effective communication between the participant and provider to ensure ultimate benefit to the participant 
• Provide and/or attend one-on-one and/or group level social and emotional support groups as appropriate 
• Contact participants who have missed appointments and identify barriers that are preventing engagement in care 
• Refer, link, and engage participants to clinical, psychological, social, and other support services within the community and promote retention in such services, as needed 
• Help train new Peer Navigators 
• Accurate and timely documentation of participant interactions into appropriate electronic software and applications 
• Participate in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed 
• Participate in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually 
• Other duties as assigned.

Associated Job Duties cont'd

• Serve on appropriate committees and task forces as assigned
• Participate in the creation of educational materials/programs providing an emphasis on HIV care and treatment including retention strategies  
• Maintain confidentiality of client records and information 
• Attend meetings and conferences as required

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• 1 to 3 years previous work experience, preferred experience in public health or health related field
• Experience with HIV care system desired
• Valid driver’s license

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Spanish language skills desired
• Cultural competence
• Knowledge of local Ryan White HIV services and systems 
• Knowledge of community based social service systems is a plus
• Flexibility to adapt to changing program/department/community needs
• Must be able to lift up to 45 lbs
• Capacity to work with patients and staff regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and /or religious affiliations
• Ability to work independently