HIV Linkage Coordinator

State of Florida • Fort Myers, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an Open Career Service Human Services Program Analyst position with the Department of Health in Lee County. This is a regional Human Services Program Analyst position with the HIV/AIDS program in Area 8. This position is responsible for the Linkage Re-Engagement Coordination (LRC) for Lee, Collier, and Hendry/Glades Counties. The incumbent is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining activities associated with linking newly diagnosed within 30 days of their diagnosis and re-engaging previously diagnosed HIV-positive individuals into the HIV/AIDS system of care within local Area/County. This position functions under the supervision of the Area 8 HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator and requires that the individual possesses a high degree of technical knowledge of diseases, healthcare services, principles and methods of epidemiology and the ability to collect, compile, and analyze data from a Data-to-Care standpoint. The LRC will also coordinate with HIV/AIDS providers and CBOS, local surveillance, STD, HIV prevention and care programs to assist with Data-to-Care linkage and re-engagement activities for the area/county.  This position is classified as a sensitive position.  Incumbent handles protected health information on a need-to-know basis following Department of Health, HIPAA and Information Security and privacy policy.  Employee abides by State/Federal laws governing health information.  Responsible to maintain confidentiality, security, privacy, and integrity of protected health information.

Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices & procedures
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS confidentiality
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and basic epidemiology
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data for the purpose of linking patients and evaluating
• Skill in operating a personal computer and software applications
• Skill in observing and evaluating the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts
• Skill in listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
• Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions
• Ability to identify things that must be changed to achieve a goal
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments and communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, policies & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small
• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver License and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.
• Must be willing to undergo FIT testing
• Selected immunizations or titers and/or periodic screening for tuberculosis may be recommended for this position.
• This position is authorized to transport confidential information outside of established DOH-Lee facilities and must comply with parameters defined in DOHP 50-10.
• This position is classified as sensitive. This individual will perform tasks defined as sensitive and handles confidential information. Background screening is a condition of employment.
• This position will abide by all state and federal laws, rules, and DOH policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with and act as a liaison to linkage and prevention specialist in Tallahassee to ensure Linkage to Care (LTC) assigned field records in the STARS database and the Linkage module are followed up on and closed out in a timely manner.
• Maintains a case load on assigned clients and participate in clinics to assist HIV diagnosed and exposed individuals with scheduling and transportation to and from medical appointments and other program related activities.
• Regularly monitors the status of all Linkage To Care (LTC) field records and lab reports for the region/all the seven counties and provide technical assistance and training to DOH and community partners to ensure the accuracy of linkage outcomes and timeliness of record closure.
• Ensures all assigned cases are linked to care within 30 days and proof of linkage such as labs, prescription or list of    medication is attached or documented in the close section of the Linkage module.
• Acts as the primary contact for the HIV/AIDS Section Linkage Team and participates on regular linkage/re-engagement calls and provide regular updates to the HAPC and the HIV/AIDS Section on any successes, challenges, or changes experienced with linkage/re-engagement efforts.
• Coordinates with local HIV/AIDS surveillance and STD program staff to ensure Data-to-Care line lists are worked in a timely manner.
• Communicates regularly with surveillance, the HAPC, the DIS/STD and other staff to assist with linkage and re-engagement activities for area 8. Ensures information about each linkage/re-engagement is accurately documented and provided to surveillance staff for submission with the line list documentation once complete.
• Provides education to community partners, HIV/STD in service to medical providers as well as participating in community outreach to promote PrEP, nPEP, Test & Treat awareness.
• Develops a Linkage and re-engagement strategy in conjunction with other members of the unit and performs home visits, hospital visits, jail visits, and school visits as needed, monitor medications, keep accurate records and educate the family on all aspects of current HIV care and prevention method.
• Promotes new strategies aimed at reducing the occurrence of new diagnosis and initiatives that support viral suppression.
• Work collaboratively with DOH clinics, local HIV Clinics and hospitals to coordinate access to Test & Treat, nPEP and PrEP services to discordant couples and other miscellaneous related duties as assigned.
• Attends conferences/educational programs and participates in local and regional patient care and prevention committees.
• Submits, statistical, and program reports. Maintains current knowledge base of HIV infection by attending/participating in designed conference calls, seminars and other educational programs.
• Provides referrals to providers as needed, i.e. HOPWA, counseling, home health, substance abuse programs, social and psychosocial services, physicians and specialty care, etc.
• Keeps accurate records and makes them available for periodic reviews. Prepares records, submits documents and reports as required. Ensures information about each linkage/re-engagement is accurately documented in program related database such as STARS, CAREWARE and the Linkage module.
• Collaborates and coordinates with HIV testing, ARTAS Coordinators, and Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) staff at County Health Departments (CHD), public and private medical care providers, HIV case managers, community-based organizations (CBO), State and County correctional staff, community health center, and other HIV testing sites to promote linkage to care and re-engagement.
• Liaises with all DOH in the area, CBOs, Hospitals, and all other external providers with the end goal to support immediate Linkage to care services and ongoing education through all available means.
• Attends and participates in general staff meetings and staff development, such as team/staff meetings and in-service/ continuing education.
• Performs related duties as necessary including public health services during a disaster.
• Maintains timely submission of EARs and timesheets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees