Prevention Navigator, Action Wellness

Posted by Action Wellness on July 10, 2017

 

Qualifications:
• LCSW Preferred, MSW required and at least two years’ experience working with target population.
• Demonstrated expertise in HIV education/ counseling, public speaking and client advocacy.
• Ability to work with diverse populations (clients and staff) in critical and emergency situations.
• Sensitive to cultural, economic, gender, and sexual orientation differences. Knowledge of local resources and service pool system.
• Understanding of medical and psychosocial issues related to youth aging out of foster care and HIV disease and related conditions.
• Flexibility in work sites, work hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work in a team and to collaborate with external agencies to achieve overall project goals.

Basic Function: Plans and oversee services for HIV-negative Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) of color and transgender communities and under limited circumstances HIV-positive MSM of color. Conducts intake, assessment and risk reduction interventions for sexually active clients at significant risk of HIV exposure. Provides PrEP and nPep adherence support to clients deemed appropriate for this type of intervention. Assesse for service needs, in particular medical care and medical insurance. The Prevention Navigator is expected to work as part of a team with an Assistant Prevention Navigator. The Prevention Navigator is responsible for working with the Assistant Prevention Navigator to assure that clients have been linked to appropriate services. This includes ongoing supervision, case conferencing, training and ongoing information sharing with Prevention Coordinator. Provide a range of navigation services to link or re-link HIV positive clients to medical care and a range of social services designed to improve retention in care and adherence to HIV treatment services. Provide navigation services to assist in linking HIV-negative clients to prevention, clinical care, and social services. Increase awareness of and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP).
Specific Responsibilities:
• Demonstrates competency in all facets of client-centered care including intake, assessment, risk reduction planning and referrals

• Provides risk reduction interventions in accordance with the standards established by the Centers of Disease Control
• Educates and builds relationships with other providers of services
• Works collaboratively with project funder, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, to meet grant obligations, reporting requirements, and timelines
• Remains informed on national PrEP and nPEP guidelines and local resources
• Design and implement outreach strategies to targeted populations
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills/Knowledge:
• Extensive knowledge and familiarity with culturally competent models of care for Black and Latino MSM and transgender communities
• Comprehensive knowledge of HIV treatment and prevention
• Understanding of and experience working from a cognitive behavioral theoretical orientation
• Experience in delivering structured interventions
• Understanding of issues facing Black and Latino MSM and transgender communities at high-risk for HIV, including structural barriers to receiving health and social services
• Knowledge of resources in Philadelphia, including educational, behavioral health and health insurance providers
• Familiarity with client confidentiality

Performance Standards:
The following performance standards are specific to this position. Meeting or exceeding these standards is an expectation of employment, as is compliance with all organizational and departmental policies, procedures and expectations.
• Meet contract goals
• Maintain awareness and knowledge of resources, as well as benefits and entitlements necessary to appropriately refer clients for services and advocate for client needs.
• Complete reports as determined by job function and department.
• Provide leadership and administrative and clinical back-up coverage for unit in absence of Prevention Services Coordinator.
• Interface with outside collaborators and function as a liaison as dictated by specific job function to assist in coordination of services and procedures for clients to access services.
• Adherence to clinical and procedural policies in the Action Wellness Direct Services Manual
• Attend Action Wellness’ Direct Services, In-services, and General Staff meetings.

• Participate in weekly individual and regular group supervisory meetings.
• Maintain accurate, timely records as required.
• Document the minimum contact and follow-up with each client per time frame outlined in the Direct Service Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Adhere to core values as outlined in Employee Handbook.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools.
• Use established universal precaution methods and equipment while completing duties.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work will be significantly in the community, primarily in the field- you will be required to travel throughout Philadelphia County.
• Approximately 10 hours per week will be spent in the office.
• Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
• Certain visits or work related appointments might be scheduled outside of traditional work hours as necessary.

Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Position Available: Immediately

Action Wellness is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Action Wellness offers a supportive work environment and excellent benefits.

All resumes will be retained for one year. No calls please.
Action Wellness – Human Resources
1216 Arch St., 6th floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107