LGBTQ+ Health Specialist

Victory Programs Inc • Boston, MA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The LGBTQ+ Health Specialist is responsible for the coordination of educational and peer support programs for the Boston Living Center and the delivery of service activities that support ongoing engagement and retention in services. The LGBTQ+ Health Specialist provides substance misuse and HIV prevention services to racial and ethnic minority males at risk for HIV/AIDS through a person driven, harm reduction model. The LGBTQ+ Health Specialist will prioritize their focus on a population of males who have sex with other males (MSM) including transgender individuals, as well as those identifying as LGBTQ+, who are at risk of substance misuse and infectious disease acquisition. The LGBTQ+ Health Specialist reports to the Milieu Engagement Manager for supervision and support. The Boston Living Center is a non-residential community center/resource program in Boston's Back Bay for individuals living with chronic health conditions (e.g. HIV/AIDS), substance use disorder, those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and/or those at risk of experiencing street based trauma.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Phlebotomy and specimen collection training/certification or a willingness to be trained.
• Working knowledge of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, homelessness, substance use, STIs, and sex work as well as health-related social issues faced by persons who use drugs.
• Competency working with individuals of diverse race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex and drug cultures, age groups, religion, country of origin, disability and economic status.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including an ability to have open and affirming conversations about sex and substance use risk.
• Ability to work in an environment that involves potentially hazardous materials (blood borne pathogens, discarded syringes, etc.) and situations that require safety precautions and/or the use of protective equipment.
• Prior experience in a milieu or drop-in environment serving homeless and/or people who use drugs required.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Must be CPR certified (may be obtained upon hire).
• Completed TB screening (may be obtained upon hire).
• Three work related professional references; at least 2 from manager or supervisor.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience working in harm reduction, community health, or human services.
• Conversational Spanish.
• Previous experience in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and milieu management.

Responsibilities

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence & Philosophy Care always including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality and working from a strength based.
• Support clients in housing navigation and resources to barrier remediation.
• Assist members in connecting to services through individual and group level support and referrals.
• Provide PrEP education and support clients with accessing PrEP from partner health centers.
• Facilitate verbal and written harm reduction counseling related to safer injection practice, wound care, overdose prevention, sexual health, vein and abscess care, and prevention of infectious disease transmission to clients.
• Provide syringe services, naloxone, and harm reduction supplies for individuals at risk for overdose or infectious disease transmission.
• Facilitate groups and workshops on issues relevant to health navigation needs, social support and other issues that is relevant to members needs/risk.
• Facilitate VOICES/VOCE Intervention for MSM members.
• Actively follow up with members that have engaged in updates and peer support through milieu support and follow-up phone calls and wellness checks.
• Coordinate and Complete outreach and recruitment activities for the identified populations of focus.
• Participate in the intake process and orientation of new members.
• Encourage clients to become active in their own healthcare.
• Engage in relationship building, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing and conflict de-escalation as needed in the milieu space.
• Comply with agency protocols for data collection and record management, including but not limited to sign in sheets, reminder calls for appointments, individual progress notes, milieu support notes, group notes and individual action plans in the electronic health record within 24 hours of service.
• Coordinate recruitment and retention into peer support and education programming.
• Collaborate and coordinate with outside partner agencies to bring guest presenters for workshops, on the job preparedness and maintaining employment, computer literacy and other topics.
• Remain in good standing with agency and funder required training.
• Attend weekly supervision, monthly staff meetings, and periodic professional development training and workshops as requested by the supervisor.
• Participate and support the agency in program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, rallies, walks and any additional functions.

Benefits

• 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution
• 100% employer paid disability and life insurance
• Generous paid time off package including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays.
• 4 personal days
• 160 sick hours
• 10 holidays
• 3 1/2 weeks of vacation

What This Job Offers

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