Early Intervention Specialist

DAP Health•Oceanside, CA

1d•$22 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Intervention Services (EIS) Specialist identifies people living with HIV or HCV and links them to medical care as quickly as possible. The role combines targeted testing, referral and outreach services, linkage to care, and health education and risk reduction. The Specialist provides individualized HIV counseling and HCV/STI education to clients who are newly diagnosed or re-engaging in care, assesses social determinants of health barriers, and helps clients access medical care and community-based resources. The position also provides walk-in support and post-appointment assistance, including help with lab work, same-day prescription pickup, and insurance enrollment referrals. The role accesses protected health information as needed and maintains accurate, timely documentation and electronic health records. The position has no supervisory responsibilities and is on-site at a DAP Health location.

Requirements

Fluent in English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree or experience in a medical or health-related field, such as social work, counseling, nursing, public health, or health education.
Current American Heart Association- or American Red Cross-accredited BLS certification.
Current and valid driver’s license and current personal auto insurance.
Ability to travel throughout Southern California.
Ability to lift 24 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Motivational Interviewing experience.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Interest in and competence with cultural differences, HIV/AIDS, minority health, and sexual practices.
Demonstrated competence working with the substance abuse community, African American, Latino/a, and LGBT communities, health care workers, youth, and/or seniors.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis), and HCV, including diagnosis, prevention, and risk-reduction strategies.
Previous professional or volunteer experience in HIV/HCV/STI prevention or care, sexual health education, or other behavior-related work.
Understanding of how related chronic and infectious diseases are transmitted and prevented, and familiarity with PrEP and PEP.
Knowledge of Stages of Change and behavioral risk reduction.

Responsibilities

Deliver individualized HIV counseling and HCV/STI education to newly diagnosed clients and clients re-engaging in care through DAP Health clinics and collaborative community referrals.
Assess social determinants of health barriers and use prevention strategies for specific infectious and chronic illnesses during client visits.
Educate clients, their sexual partners, and/or family members about HIV prevention, including condom and lubricant use, harm reduction practices, and antiretroviral therapies.
Facilitate referrals to a Prevention Navigator for PEP and PrEP services for sexual partners and/or clients’ family members.
Help clients newly diagnosed with HIV or out of care access care by identifying and removing barriers.
Facilitate referrals to DAP Health medical care as needed.
Communicate information in accordance with agency standards.
Stay knowledgeable about local resources and help clients access and navigate community-based services.
Access protected health information as needed and maintain accurate, timely documentation of client interactions.
Keep electronic health records up to date, including HCC, Epic, and other databases.
Meet with walk-in clients to provide support, answer questions, and address immediate needs.
Provide post-appointment support, including assistance with in-house lab interactions and coordination of same-day prescription pickup.
Provide updated information and referrals to insurance enrollment workers to assist clients with coverage applications.
Connect clients with relevant internal and external resources through timely and accurate referrals.
Perform other duties as assigned.