HIV Peer Navigator

THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTERS, INC.•,

1d•$22 - $25•Hybrid

About The Position

The Peer Navigator works with the contract manager to engage and re-engage with clients who have lapsed in their HIV care. This role ensures that PLWH (person living with HIV) remain engaged in their care and have access to necessary resources and support. The Peer Navigator demonstrates compassion and commitment to making a significant impact in the lives of those affected by HIV. They will integrate with other HIV clinic team members to effectively identify, locate, and reengage clients who have lapsed in HIV care. The position provides comprehensive assessment, outreach, linkage, and re-engagement services, focusing on clients who are considered “out of care,” facilitating their return to consistent and effective HIV treatment and support services. This includes conducting field outreach operations, individual and group interventions to address personalized goals, and supporting individuals who may be newly diagnosed or require additional support to engage in and maintain HIV medical care and support services. Topics discussed include living with HIV, healthy lifestyle and relationships, adherence treatment, access and barriers to care, and prevention methods. The Peer Navigator acts as a liaison between HIV counseling and testing sites and the medical clinic, provides crisis interventions, and offers services to clients not yet enrolled in specific programs. They collaborate with the HIV clinic team, document client interactions, contribute to program evaluation, and demonstrate cultural and linguistic competency. Participation in case conferences is also required.

Requirements

High school Diploma
Is reflective of the community being served.
Lived experience relevant to the communities served (for example, experience navigating HIV care, stigma, or related social service systems).
Must NOT be a current client of Contractor’s clinic
Ability and interest in doing field-based work when necessary to locate or assist clients.
Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientation, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment.
Valid Class C Drivers License, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation for travel to a variety of sites throughout LAC.
Knowledge of HIV Disease, behaviors that transmit HIV, and those disease conditions that are co-morbid with HIV
Ability to interact in a nonjudgmental and empathetic manner with PLWH and AIDS as well as their partners
Must have good interpersonal skills
Comfortable with field outreach
Ability to advocate for clients

Responsibilities

Ensures that PLWH (person living with HIV) remain engaged in their care and have access to necessary resources and support.
Integrate with other HIV clinic team members to effectively identify, locate, and reengage clients who have lapsed in the HIV care.
Provides comprehensive assessment, outreach, linkage, and re-engagement services, focusing on clients who are considered “out of care,” facilitating their return to consistent and effective HIV treatment and support services.
Conducts field outreach operations to efficiently locate and assist clients who have disengaged from HIV care.
Conducts individual and group interventions to address personalized goals and develop needed skill set for healthy living, ensure medication adherence and support a positive outlook for individuals living with HIV.
Supports individuals who may be newly diagnosed as living with HIV, or who may require additional support to engage in and maintain HIV medical care and support services to ensure that clients are linked to care and continuously supported to remain in care.
Acts as the liaison between HIV counseling and testing sites and the medical clinic to ensure that new clients are enrolled in medical care seamlessly and in a timely fashion.
Provides crisis interventions, offering immediate support in challenging situations.
Provides services to clients not yet enrolled in PSS, MCC Services, or clinic-based programs and can outreach clients who have not yet enrolled into any services with Contractor.
Collaborates with the HIV clinic team members, documents client interactions, and contributes to program evaluation.
Demonstrates cultural and linguistic competency to effectively communicate with and support a diverse range of clients.
Participates in case conference as needed.