Community Health Worker

Hyacinth Foundation A New Jersey•Paterson, NJ

55d

About The Position

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an employee of Hyacinth: Service/Client Services, Community/Teamwork, and Leadership. Employees of the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. All such information must be treated as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which require the protection of personal health information. Under the supervision of the Client Services Manager, performs assigned duties relating to the implementation and evaluation of Outreach Services.

Requirements

A minimum of two years’ experience in the field of HIV / AIDS
Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and interests.
Proficiency in written and verbal communications
Access to currently registered car and a valid driver’s license a plus

Nice To Haves

High School diploma or GED
Preference may be given to candidates whose background is similar to the target population, or individuals with other experience or direct knowledge of HIV
Community relations
HIV treatment education

Responsibilities

Collaborate with staff in local clinics to outreach to out of care individuals and reconnect them to HIV medical services and other supportive services
Work closely with medical case managers of local clinic to identify patients who have fallen out of care
Conduct outreach to the hardest to reach, at risk communities. These communities include men and women who are substance using, incarcerated, undocumented, uninsured, homeless, teens or otherwise not aware of, or in denial about, their risk for being HIV-infected. Outreach will be conducted in conjunction with prevention staff and will include riding on the Mobile Testing Van to various outreach location
Refer and link undiagnosed clients to rapid HIV testing services
Refer newly diagnosed clients to medical care and other supportive services
Accompany and escort clients to medical and social service-related appointments
Provide accurate information to clients about living with HIV, preventing further transmission, the benefits and challenges of HIV care and treatment, and available services and how to access them
Provide personalized assistance to clients to help them enroll or re-engage in medical care
Support clients throughout the early part of their care
Help clients to develop confidence about their participation in HIV treatment
Work closely with Medical Case Manager to ensure clients medical needs are addressed
Establish, maintain, and update client case records using approved agency forms and procedures
Ensure confidentiality of all records
Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures
Maintain and update client information in E-Compass and CAREWare
Attend and participate in staff meetings and supervisory conferences
Maintain working relationships with other community providers
Observe established administrative procedures
Provide written reports and maintain statistics as required
Represent the agency at community events, meetings, and conferences
Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including client confidentiality provisions
Attend and participate in staff training opportunities
Commitment to Hyacinth philosophy