Bilingual Testing Specialist - Outreach & Testing

Texas Health Action•Austin, TX

7h•$23

About The Position

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community-informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment, with expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and those impacted by HIV. Kind Clinic proudly serves Texas with four vibrant locations: two in Austin, one in San Antonio, and another in Dallas plus virtual care services available to all residents across Texas. Bolstered by Waterloo Counseling Center and a passionate team of over 250 dedicated employees and volunteers, THA is at the forefront of promoting healthcare equity and accessibility throughout the state. Read more about THA here: http://texashealthaction.org. THA is seeking a Bilingual Testing Specialist (Spanish & English) to join the Outreach & Testing team in providing safe, confidential HIV and STI testing in Austin and the surrounding community. This is a full-time, non-exempt position requiring 40 hours a week with some night and weekend hours.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required before start date.
Phlebotomy certification required (may complete within first month of hire).
Completion of Foundations of Counseling and Testing (may complete within first 3 months of hire).
Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
Strong understanding of HIV and STI prevention issues and how they affect or influence service delivery.
Must have basic PC skills that include a combination of working in a Windows Operating System and Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality; able to maintain confidentiality under HIPAA standards.
Must have the ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy and tact; excellent customer services and interpersonal communication skills; Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated ability to work with diverse people groups.
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills in English
Ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
Ability to effectively interact with persons of widely diverse roles, backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic classes, those in crises or resistant or negative toward organizations.
Ability to apply time management practices to prioritize, schedule and complete work effectively to comply with mandated policies and deadlines.
Ability to work on multiple tasks or parts of tasks simultaneously to ensure timely completion of work activities.
Must be able to work productively with other departments and employees.
Ability to work with professionals from various partners and organizations.
Usually works forty (40) hours per week, some weekends may be required.
Ability to successfully manage conflict, negotiating “win-win” solutions.
Must be able to multi-task, prioritize with strong time management skills.
Exceptional follow-through on tasks and assignments
Must possess leadership qualities and be able to supervise and secure the cooperation of staff
Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and be able to perceive the attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, and/or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
Ability to express and exchange ideas via spoken word during activities in which they must convey detail or important spoken instructions to others accurately, sometimes quickly and loudly.
Hearing to perceive the nature of sound with no less than 40 db loss @ Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without correction; ability to perceive detailed information orally and make fine discriminations in sound.
Perform repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers. Individual must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and to be able to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Work requires a minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction that will enable people in the role to complete administrative and clerical tasks, as well as inspect and analyze.
Must be able to work and concentrate amidst distractions such as noise, conversation, and foot traffic; ability to handle interruptions often and be able to move from one task to another.
While worker may possibly be subjected to temperature changes, the worker is generally not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as the work is predominantly inside.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or any related field preferred.
Previous experience in HIV testing, PrEP and PEP services, STI clinics, and/ or working with patients on sexual health preferred.
Also preferred is experience and comfort in discussing issues related to substance use, harm reduction, homelessness, mental health, gender care and LGBTQ communities.
Additional language abilities desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, risk assessment, and deliver results.
Educate individuals and groups about HIV and antibody testing, STI testing and treatments, and HIV & STI prevention education and counseling.
Assist in assessing need to refer clients to medical providers and support services, linking clients to appropriate community resources, and conducting follow-up activities.
Provide harm reduction counseling around drug use and sexual wellness and health.
Utilize and promote infection control measures and universal precautions to maintain high quality of health and safety during outreach events.
Participate in special testing and outreach events in community settings, public sex environments, online, as well as other venues to reach populations of focus including: MSM, Spanish-speaking communities, communities of color, transgender and gender non-binary individuals, sex workers, individuals without a home, and persons who inject drugs to recruit into HIV and STI prevention programs, testing, and services.
Maintain a system of confidentiality according to clinic’s policies and procedures and HIPAA guidelines.