Community Health Specialist

TRILLIUM HEALTH INC•Rochester, NY

About The Position

As a member of the Harm Reduction Services team, provide comprehensive risk reduction and syringe access services to program participants (within the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region) to improve the health of people who use drugs. Provide additional client-centered services including opioid overdose prevention training; HIV/HCV/STI education, point of care testing and risk reduction services; and linkage/navigation services to health care and other community-based services. The Community Health Specialist will work to build relationships, solve problems, locate resources, and promote the independence, health and wellbeing of clients.

Requirements

Must meet one of the following requirements:
High School Diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in Harm Reduction Services, Health Education, Health and Human Services, or a related relevant field
Associate’s degree in Health Education, Health and Human Services, or related field and 2 years of related experience (as described above)
Bachelor’s degree in Health Education, Health and Human Services, or related field and experience working with underserved populations, including people who use drugs
Understanding and commitment to harm reduction theory and practice

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish and/or ASL desired.

Responsibilities

Harm Reduction & Syringe Service Operations
Outreach & Engagement Services
Service Navigation & Care Coordination
Administrative
Community Networking
Miscellaneous
Maintain clear professional boundaries to support the limits and possibilities of services
Engage in respectful communication supportive of program participants’ right to self-determination
Participate in the daily operations of fixed location Syringe Services Program
Ensure that drop-in services occur in a non-judgmental and safe space
Perform evidence-based assessments and use evidenced-based practices to support people who use drugs who do not have an immediate goal of abstinence
Conduct new enrollment conversations with individuals interested in services
Educate individuals about harm reduction techniques, supplies and services available to them
Provide harm and risk reduction strategy counseling services
Conduct 1:1 syringe service encounters with program participants
Provide special arrangement services and supply deliveries to program participants, as scheduled
Ensure the appropriate disposal of all used syringes as per Trillium Health and Program Policies and Procedures
Upon successful completion of Community Prevention Services New Tester Training, provide back-up, relief or outreach coverage for HIV/HCV and STI screening and testing services, according to organization and funder protocols
Discuss strategies for risk reduction and assist client in creating a practical risk reduction strategy that is client-centered; provide condoms and other risk reduction supplies to clients as indicated or requested
Connect clients to Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and initiate connection to Rapid Start ART (treatment) for newly diagnosed HIV+ individuals, as indicated
Participate in the preparation of supplies to ensure adequate service delivery (including unloading large deliveries of supplies, stocking and storage of supplies, maintenance of supply inventory per program protocol)
Document and enter all service data, in an accurate and timely fashion, as required by program, Trillium Health and funder(s)
Upon successful completion of required training, conduct outreach and engagement in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region with the principal purpose of identifying individuals at risk of unintentional death and/or HIV/HCV/STI infection and linking them to services
Operate assigned vehicles, including the outreach mobile unit, as needed
Communicate appropriately and professionally with residents, law enforcement and other community stakeholders
Ensure Harm Reduction education/overdose prevention, PrEP/PEP and HIV, HCV, and STI prevention are integrated into outreach programs
Distribute current and appropriate educational and service materials at outreach events, and during one-on-one encounters with individuals
Serve as an ambassador of all services of Trillium Health and The MOCHA Center during community-based outreach and/or testing events.
Screen and/or assess clients for any social determinants of health or other barriers
In collaboration with clients, determine an appropriate client-centered plan of care and facilitate coordination of that plan
Facilitate linkage to Trillium Health (or other provider) for primary and/or specialty care, including HIV/HCV/MOUD treatment
Facilitate linkage to Trillium Health (or other provider) for Mental Health Counseling services
Work within HMIS (Housing Management Information System) to facilitate housing access for participants
Work with local Department of Social Services to assist participants navigation through the system to gain access to entitlements and benefits
Maintain Marketplace Navigator status to verify participants’ health insurance status and/or coordinate the access of health insurance for those individuals
Maintain contact and follow-up with each client and service provider (via secured releases) throughout the evolution of the plan of care.
Update plan of care as necessary in the EMR and in AIRS as required
Attend team, department, division and organizational meetings as required
Actively participate in routine supervision meetings
Compile and report program and service data in electronic database(s) and/or electronic medical record
Maintain and protect sensitive information and use/share data in compliance with Trillium Health, New York State and funder policies and procedures
Participate in training and continuing education initiatives to build understanding of evolving treatment and service delivery issues
Navigate Microsoft Office products and other electronic platforms for communication and documentation
Work with the interdisciplinary health care team across the organization (or with external organizations as needed) to facilitate care and keep patients and clients engaged
Actively participate in quality improvement initiatives
Demonstrate positive communication and teamwork within all areas and departments
Represent Trillium Health at community events as needed
Participate and provide Trillium Health representation on relevant coalitions, committees, networks, etc.
Maintain a compassionate, positive, and respectful attitude towards people who use drugs
Requires the ability and commitment to respect and support inclusiveness and diversity including but not limited to individuals of different backgrounds, cultures, races, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, experiences, opinions, etc.
Requires individual demonstration of commitment to the One Trillium values, behaviors and business impacts and modeling them in the organization.
Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all patient, client, employee, protected, and proprietary information.
Employees are accountable for meeting the performance standards of their departments and must participate as requested in compliance audits, process improvement, and quality improvement plans.
Other specific duties as assigned.