HIV Client Advocate

Parkland Health

4d

About The Position

The HIV Client Advocate assesses, plans, implements, and coordinates care for people living with HIV to identify and address their medical and psychosocial needs and support linkage to and retention in care. The role guides patients and their families to Parkland and community services, provides counseling and referrals, advocates for clients, and supports communication between patients and the healthcare team.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of terminal-illness-related care or counseling experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people across cultural, ethnic, national, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to demonstrate patient-centered, patient-valued behaviors.
• Medical knowledge of disease processes, general knowledge of human services, and cultural sensitivity.

Nice To Haves

• May be required to be bilingual.

Responsibilities

• Assist, educate, and guide patients with HIV, ensuring they know about Parkland and community service programs that support patients and their families.
• Provide HIV counseling and refer newly diagnosed and follow-up patients to psychosocial agencies.
• Support patients and their families outside the clinic by providing information and recommendations on non-healthcare issues.
• Provide medical staff with timely and accurate information in support of client needs.
• Serve as a liaison and patient advocate to reduce conflicts and address patients’ stated and unstated needs.
• Maintain knowledge of HIV-related issues and developments in care for patients with HIV infection.
• Develop and maintain working relationships between patients and healthcare team members.
• Represent client advocacy in case-conferencing sessions.
• Assist with patient group sessions as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED