Hepatitis Peer Specialist

ASPEN OF DC INC•Washington, DC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hepatitis Peer Specialist role involves recruiting and training peers with lived experience in recovery or health navigation to work directly within local organizations. These Hepatitis Peers are integrated into Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to bridge the gap between clinical services and hard-to-reach populations. The specialist will also engage in outreach, health coaching, screening, and linkage to care for individuals at risk of or living with HIV/HCV/STI. The role emphasizes informing and educating the community about HCV testing, providing harm reduction messaging, and ensuring ongoing support and follow-up for participants. The position operates in partnership with DC Health and a network of agencies, including Community Health Centers and Peer-Operated Centers.

Requirements

Provide basic HIV/HCV/STI (HIV and AIDS/Hepatitis C Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection) information at outreach events, health fairs, community gatherings and during direct street outreach.
Inform and educate the focus population and larger community about HCV testing sites and the value of testing.

Responsibilities

Recruits and trains peers with lived experience in recovery or health navigation to work directly within local organizations.
Hepatitis Peers are integrated into CBOs to bridge the gap between clinical services and hard-to-reach populations.
Identify potential participants within their agency and outside their agency
Provide basic HIV/HCV/STI (HIV and AIDS/Hepatitis C Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection) information at outreach events, health fairs, community gatherings and during direct street outreach.
Inform and educate the focus population and larger community about HCV testing sites and the value of testing.
Provide harm reduction messaging to all clients and connects them to syringe exchange and other services promoting safer drug use
Provide HBV/HCV screening services within programs providing SSP (Syringe Services Program), HIV screening and treatment, and MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment).
Assess participants knowledge and self-management skill level in the areas of HCV including treatment, preventing disease progression, preventing transmission, self-care, emotional wellness, social support, disclosure, and harm-reduction.
Disseminate materials and information to participants about appropriate health and social service resources.
DC Health partners with a wide network of agencies to host these peer-led initiatives. Community Health Center organzations serve as critical sites for peer-supported care.
Peer-Operated Centers locations specifically designed for peer-to-peer support in recovery and health navigation.
Based on testing and assessment results, refer participants to HCV related health and wellness services and/or other community services.
Create individualized client plans that ensure on-going support to participants by maintaining contact by way of in person, drop-in, email, telephone calls, and accompaniments
As needed, accompany clients to clinics, community agencies or accompanying nurses to homes.
Maintain confidential and accurate files; complete monthly reporting and share with DC Health in a timely manner.
Comply with embedded agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality of participants and business operations.
Attend and actively participate in required training sessions and bi-weekly team meeting