Community Health Specialist 2

Trillium Health•Rochester, NY

7h•$21 - $30

About The Position

The Community Health Specialist II works as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide harm reduction, sexual health, outreach, testing, and service navigation to individuals experiencing health disparities throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions. The role delivers client-centered services grounded in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and health equity, with a focus on people at increased risk for HIV, HCV, and STI infection and other priority populations. The specialist engages individuals through community outreach, sexual health education, testing, evidence-based interventions, and linkage to care. The position also develops and facilitates educational programming, coordinates referrals and client-centered service plans, and supports access to healthcare and community resources. Work includes accurate program documentation and reporting, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and community partners, and participation in quality improvement and compliance activities.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: high school diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in sexual health services, health education, public health, human services, or a related field; an associate degree and two years of related experience; or a bachelor's degree in Health Education, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field and experience working with underserved populations.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the service area.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction theory, motivational interviewing, and health equity principles.
Experience working in community-based social services and/or outreach.
Experience facilitating public health or sexual health/HIV prevention curricula.
Strong public speaking skills.
Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish and/or American Sign Language (ASL).

Responsibilities

Conduct community-based outreach throughout Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region, build relationships with individuals and community partners, and represent Trillium Health at events, coalitions, and public education initiatives.
Operate agency vehicles, including mobile outreach units, according to organizational policies; distribute prevention resources and promote access to Trillium Health services.
Identify service gaps and contribute to outreach and engagement strategies that address community needs.
Complete required training and competency requirements for HIV, HCV, and STI testing, and provide screening and testing in onsite, community, event, and mobile settings.
Deliver culturally responsive health education on HIV, HCV, STIs, substance use, and relevant emerging public health concerns.
Integrate overdose prevention, harm reduction, and HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP and PEP education, into outreach and service delivery.
Help clients develop individualized risk-reduction plans and facilitate access to prevention services, treatment, and care, including PrEP, PEP, HCV treatment, and Rapid Start ART when appropriate.
Support the development and implementation of educational programming and outreach initiatives, and serve as a knowledgeable resource on Trillium Health programs and services.
Screen clients for social determinants of health, barriers to care, and unmet needs; develop and coordinate client-centered service plans.
Provide referrals and active linkage to primary care, specialty care, HIV and HCV treatment, MOUD, behavioral health, and other supportive services.
Support people newly diagnosed with HIV and/or HCV, out of care, or at increased risk for adverse health outcomes; assist with healthcare systems, insurance enrollment, and community resources.
Maintain communication with clients to support engagement in care and successful service connections.
Collect, maintain, and report program data in accordance with organizational, funder, and regulatory requirements.
Document services accurately, completely, and on time using electronic systems, including EMR and AIRS.
Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training, and professional development; collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community partners.
Contribute to quality improvement, compliance, and program evaluation, and support onboarding, training, and mentoring as assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and follow organizational policies, procedures, and data security requirements.
Develop, adapt, review, and update sexual health education curricula and training materials in alignment with current public health guidance, evidence-based practices, and priority population needs.
Facilitate sexual health education programs and individual and group interventions using interactive, trauma-informed approaches that support engagement and behavior change.
Provide education and training assistance to community partners, educators, healthcare providers, and peer educators on sexual health and disease prevention.
Foster inclusive learning environments that support informed decision-making, reduce stigma, and promote health equity.
Address social determinants of health and barriers to care while promoting access to prevention resources and services.
Maintain professional boundaries and uphold confidentiality, dignity, and self-determination.
Respect and support patients, employees, and visitors with diverse lived experiences; demonstrate commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and values.
Participate in compliance audits, quality improvement plans, and continuous improvement of job responsibilities and organizational or work processes.
Perform other duties as assigned.