Testing Specialist - Outreach & Testing

Texas Health Action•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community-informed nonprofit providing culturally affirming, quality health services, with expertise serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV. Kind Clinic serves Texas through locations in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, as well as virtual care available to Texas residents. The organization is supported by Waterloo Counseling Center and a team of more than 250 employees and volunteers. The Testing Specialist provides HIV and STI testing, prevention education, harm reduction services, referrals, and linkage to care in clinic, outreach, and mobile testing settings. The role engages communities to increase access to prevention, testing, and related services while providing respectful, culturally responsive, patient-centered support. This is a full-time, non-exempt, in-person position that reports to the Testing Supervisor/Testing Operations Coordinator. It requires availability for 40 hours per week and may include evening and weekend hours depending on clinic needs or schedule. Performance expectations include at least 90% compliance with required documentation standards for HIV-negative testing chart audits, at least 95% compliance for HIV-positive testing chart audits, and at least 90% compliance with testing-session standards during observed encounters. The role is also expected to maintain patient satisfaction at or above the organizational target, as measured through applicable NPS results, while maintaining positive individual patient feedback.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certification.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification before the first day of employment.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Phlebotomy certification, which may be completed within the first month of hire.
Completion of Foundations of Counseling and Testing, which may be completed within the first three months of hire.
Complete required mobile testing vehicle training and maintain competency in its safe operation, setup, and use for testing and outreach.
Demonstrated experience through employment, volunteer service, internships, student organizations, or other relevant activities involving HIV/STI prevention, sexual health education, public health, community outreach, or related health and human services.
At least six months of work or volunteer experience with marginalized communities, such as LGBTQIA+ communities and communities of color.
Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
Ability to maintain timely, professional communication through organizational communication platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and ability to protect patient and organizational information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational standards.
Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service communication skills.
Ability to communicate and work effectively, respectfully, and with cultural responsiveness across diverse populations, backgrounds, roles, and socioeconomic circumstances.
Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment in sensitive situations, conflict, or interactions with individuals experiencing distress.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail with minimal supervision.
Ability to collaborate with employees across departments and external community partners and organizations.
Availability to work 40 hours per week, with flexibility for some evenings and weekends depending on clinic needs or schedule.
Ability to safely operate organizational vehicles as required for assigned duties.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, including knowledge of medical vocabulary.
Bachelor’s degree in a social science or public health discipline. A two-year degree with licensure and/or four years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
One year of experience in a human service field, including social work, psychology, counseling, or public health. Two years of part-time work or volunteer experience may be considered in lieu of one year of experience.

Responsibilities

Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, sexual health assessments, point-of-care results, and related testing services.
Provide HIV/STI prevention education, counseling, and harm reduction services related to sexual health and wellness, substance use, testing, treatment, and prevention.
Assess patient needs for medical and support services; provide referrals and linkages to appropriate care and community resources; and conduct required follow-up activities.
Participate in clinic-based, mobile, and community testing and outreach to engage populations of focus and connect individuals with prevention, testing, and related services.
Provide reception, laboratory, condom distribution, and other operational coverage needed to support testing and outreach services.
Complete patient documentation, data entry, and program reporting accurately and within established timelines.
Follow infection control measures and universal precautions to maintain safe testing, outreach, and program operations.
Communicate professionally, respectfully, and in a patient-centered manner, and collaborate with patients, team members, other departments, community partners, and venues.
Assist with maintaining testing, educational, harm reduction, and other supplies needed for clinic and outreach operations.
Participate in required training and maintain competency in HIV/STI testing, counseling, mobile testing vehicle operation, infection control, and other assigned program functions.
Perform related duties and fulfill responsibilities as required.