HIV Prevention Counselor

JOB SUMMARY/ACCOUNTABILITY:

The Prevention Counselor plans and assists with HIV testing & counseling and other sexually transmitted infections such as screening for Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C screenings. Conducts patient intakes, assesses patients risk, takes patients samples, provide testing results, and assists patients with developing risk reduction plans. HIV Test Counselors provides referrals, linkage to medical care and supportive services. Provides counseling to high risk individuals. Locates patients who are unaware of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections such as Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C. Provides information on community services and provides health education.

TIME & EFFORT:

• 90% of this positions time is focused on providing integrated screenings for HIV, STD's, and HCV by collecting rectal, pharyngeal, urethral and phlebotomy specimens to persons unaware of their status.
• 10% of this positions time is focused on all other functions not directly related to providing integrated screenings.
• See General Responsibilities Section for further description of the above functions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participates in outreach efforts to locate individuals at risk of HIV infection or not aware of their status. Educates, coaches, and empowers individuals at risk of HIV infection using motivational interviewing techniques and strategies to help them identify and adhere to risk reduction plans and their behavioral goals. Assists clients in removing barriers to remaining HIV negative including providing them with risk reduction tools (condoms, lubricants, etc.), assisting them in identifying triggers that may lead to putting themselves at risk of HIV/STI, works with them to develop an individual risk reducation plan, provides linkages to resources (such as insurance) to assist them in obtaining services in need of (such as PrEP).

Provides HIV Prevention Counseling, HIV health education and risk reduction in accordance with the standards, guidelines, contractual obligations, and protocols established by the Center for Disease Prevention and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. Efficiently and accurately executes integrated screenings for HIV, STDs, and HCV by collecting rectal, pharyngeal, urethral and phlebotomy specimens from persons unaware of their status. Provides testing results to individuals assisting them in understanding the test, the results, ensuring linkage to the appropriate treatment provider, and providing other referrals as needed.

Demonstrates competency in all facets of client centered clinical interactions including recruitment, rapport building, intake, assessment, health education, risk reduction treatment planning, medication adherence, reassessment of risk reduction treatment plans, and referrals. Assists persons living with HIV who are lost to care by linking them back into care.

All clinical and administration documentation (grant data statistic submission, reports etc.) are completed fully and within time frames designated. Completes all clinical documentation (testing logs, intakes, progress notes, etc.) fully and within the designated time frames. Assists in the evaluation of program outcomes and realignment of program recruitment activities.

Networks with community leaders/gatekeepers, other service providers, including physicians, clinics, nightclubs, bath houses, etc., developing new venues for the program to participate with for identifying individuals at risk of HIV infection or unaware of their HIV status. Educates individuals and the community on HIV testing and counseling services to increase awareness and increase testing.

Ability to be a team player, participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and approach to service delivery. Partici