Job Description
GLFHC is searching for a CHW Care Manager who will provide an array of onsite and community (mobile) based harm reduction and screening services including but not limited to street and venue based outreach, prevention, counseling, integrated screening and linkage services to groups identified at highest risk for HIV/AIDS, STI's, Viral Hepatitis and latent tuberculosis as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Services (BIDLS). CHW will be phlebotomy trained or receive training in the first 18 months of employment in order to provide confidential screening services for HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Latent Tuberculosis. CHW will recruit screen and link individuals who test positive with HCV, STI, and/or TB results and/or at high risk for HIV, HCV, STI, or TB and/or PrEP regimens to appropriate levels of care, treatment, and supportive services through short term care coordination and navigation. CHW will also provide overdose education and prevention, Narcan enrollment and Syringe Services (distribution of sterile injection equipment and syringe pick-up)..
Job Responsibilities Include: HIV/STI/HCV Outreach and Screening - Recruits and screens high risk priority populations as defined by BIDLS through stationary, street and community (venue) based outreach. Through mobile outreach in the community, identifies where members of the priority population congregate or work to provide clients information of services available at Prevention, Screening and Linkage program.
- Assesses clients' risk factors including sexual and substance use behaviors.
- Conducts HIV/STI/viral hepatitis counseling and screening sessions both in individual and group settings in an appropriate cultural and linguistic manner. This includes pre and post-test counseling and health education regarding HIV/STI/HCV infections, transmission, testing, treatment and prevention.
- Facilitates individual and group level interventions which teach awareness and risk reduction techniques around topics related to PICSR services. Prepares to effectively facilitate groups, i.e. has appropriate risk reduction tools and education materials).
- Assists in the preparation and giving of test results and documents test result delivery.
- Assists clients in the development of a risk reduction plan and distributes all appropriate harm reduction materials such as condoms, bleach kits and syringes.
- Collects specimens via venous blood draw and /or urine specimen for HIV/STI/HCV and coordinates transport to the State Laboratory for processing. Conduct mobile phlebotomy during venue based outreach.
- Completes paperwork (basic risk assessment, lab requisitions, internal program forms, utilizations) timely and accurately.
- Collects data and enters data in program database.
- Educates and assists community members in accessing Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
- Utilizes social media for outreach and recruitment of prevention and screening services in accordance with GLFHC and PICSR social media policy.
Short Term Navigation - Links clients through supported referrals for medical care, behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, and community resources.
- Identifies barriers to care and assists clients in overcoming barriers
- As a Certified Application Counselor, assists with applying for health insurance benefits
- Coordinates appointments with providers and ensures timely delivery of treatment and navigation services.
- Maintains ongoing communication clients and with providers per protocol.
- Follows-up on linkages/supported referrals
- Maintains a case load of 20-40 clients in highest need of short term navigation as identified by acuity tool.
- Accompanies clients to medical and/or social service appointments as needed
- Assists clients with accessing services to address their immediate needs (e.g., transportation, access to temporary housing, food, clothes, and other basic necessities).
- Completes all necessary assessments, individual service plans and documentation in the EMR or paper record.
Overdose Education and Narcan Enrollment (OEND)- Provide low threshold interventions to active substance users and drug users (IDUs) and coordinates detoxification services.
- Arranges transportation to detox facilities
- Conducts onsite and community based education sessions on overdose prevention
- Conducts individual and group overdose prevention counseling and trainings session to IDU, community members and services providers.
- Provides Narcan enrollment to IDU and/or community members
- Completes paperwork (basic risk assessment, Narcan enrollment form, Narcan inventory, and internal program forms) timely and accurately
- Collects data and enters data in program database
- Participates in adverse event conference calls and meetings as identified by supervisor
Syringe Services (Syringe Services Program [SSP]) *City of Lawrence only* - Recruits people who inject drugs (PWID)
- Follows established GLFHC and MDPH protocols including but not limited to safe handling, storing and disposal of syringes.
- Identifies and engages IDU and supplies them with sterile syringes, safe disposal containers and harm reduction materials both onsite and community based.
- Educates clients on safer drug use and injecting, the transmission of infection and how to minimize the risk of infection.
- Collects from clients and in the community used injecting equipment and safely and appropriately disposes of them.
- Completes paperwork (basic risk assessment, SSP enrollment form, inventory forms, and internal program forms) timely and accurately.
- Collects data and enters data in program database.
- As needed, assists in ordering supplies and maintaining stock to maintain SSP
Administrative Responsibilities - Assists in the preparation and participates in program and health related community events including but not limited to World AIDS Day, National HIV Testing Day, and Fiesta de Salud.
- Works with Coordinator to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of data.
- Participates in ongoing quality management activities related to program work plan and contractual performance outcomes.
- Completes daily, weekly or monthly paperwork. Assists Supervisor and Coordinator with gathering, counting and writing data needed for submission of reports to funders on a monthly, quarterly yearly basis (or PRN).
- Meets with Supervisor for one-on-one sessions at a minimum of once a month to discuss personal development, concerns and other issues that may impact service delivery to clients accessing services through the program.
- Professionally represents GLFHC and program at community meetings, trainings, conferences as requested by Supervisor.
- Promotes program and services through community outreach and information dissemination.
- Attends and/or completes all mandatory program, department and contractual meetings/ trainings per year.
- Maintains accurate service resources to complete appropriate supported referrals for clients.
- Allows for flexible schedule in order to accommodate required evening and weekend hours.
- Performs duties consistent with agency and program policies and procedures.
- Travel between sites and within the community is required.
Qualifications: Skills and Abilities - Certified phlebotomist or willing to become trained within 18 months of employment
- Certified Application Counselor or willing to become trained within the first 6 months of employment
- Valid Massachusetts Driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
- Bilingual/bicultural (English/Spanish) preferred.
- Takes initiative, strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, ability to follow-through; excellent communications abilities; able to work under pressure, meet inflexible deadlines, and set priorities.
- Demonstrated computer skills (Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word).
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize assigned duties.
- Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and well-written documentation .
- This position requires evening and weekend hours.
Education - Associates Degree in Human Services field or two years of relevant work experience
Experience - Experience working with priority population as mentioned above strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of substance use, HIV, STI's, HCV; transmission, prevention and community resources
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
Job Tags
Temporary work, Work experience placement, Relief, Immediate start, Flexible hours, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,