focus integrated care specialist

Job Title

CCHIP Integrated Care Specialist

Department

CORE Center

This position is exempt from Career Service under the CCH Personnel Rules.

Job Summary

The FOCUS Integrated Care Specialist (Specialist) will provide linkage to care and follow up services for HIV/HBV/HCV/Syphilis care to person's living with/affected by these infectious diseases being released from Cook County Jail (CCJ). The Specialist will work closely with newly diagnosed and those vulnerable to HIV ensuring proper continuation and expansion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) patient navigation and adherence counseling program at Cook County Health (CCH) Ambulatory & Community Health Network (ACHN) Clinics. The Specialist will promote program enrollment and the use of antiretroviral's (ARV) for HIV treatment and prevention. The Specialist conducts retention/case finding activities, under supervision, to locate newly diagnosed and lost to care clients. The Specialist will work with a team of peer educators and staff who will assist with community outreach, HIV testing and health education onsite at ACHN locations and throughout eligible metropolitan area.

Typical Duties

Initiates immediate contact with patients diagnosed with HIV/HBV/HCV/Syphilis from Cermak Health Services Opt-Out to link to care and treatment. (differentiate between newly diagnosed and out of care)Conducts outreach and risk reduction counseling to incarcerated population in clinical settings at assigned ACHN locations, including prevention and treatmentConducts sessions with individuals newly diagnosed with HIV/HBV/HCV/Syphilis to link them to services within CCJ or CORE CenterConducts linkage to care, health education/literacy assessment, specialty care referrals and enrollment and eligibility verification activities on newly diagnosed persons and/or out care persons, which may include HIV, Hepatitis, STI, PrEP, & DoxyPEP educationMakes appropriate referrals and linkages to HIV/HBV/HCV medical care and targeted testing programs, assist clients with gathering necessary eligibility documentation for Ryan White (HIV) services (including but not limited to Identification and/or birth record documents, residency documentation and income Verification)Conducts community case finding activities, including outreach and home visits. Locates patients upon release from CCJ, including contacting Sheriff's office for movement, calling halfway houses/shelters, driving by last known address to place outreach materials, conducts online search using Individual in Custody Search or Cook County Inmate Sheriff Locator, contacting healthcare providers etc.Documents contact attempts, client encounters, and services delivered into the electronic medical record. Maintains records and logs related to this function as indicated. Enters client encounters and services delivered into Gilead System and electronic medical recordsParticipates in daily/weekly case conferences and planning with the care team as needed.Works with CORE team to connect to services for those newly diagnosed and/or lost to care patient in primary careProvides individual- and relationship-based HIV and STI counseling. Identifies PrEP eligible clients and links them to appropriate servicesDocuments services rendered primarily within CCH Electronic Medical Records SystemProvides education on effective biomedical and prevention interventions (i.e. risk reduction, PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP). Refers eligible, interested clients to primary care medical services at CCH sites to further discuss preventive care with medical providerPerforms supportive tasks for patients such as scheduling appointments, reminding patients of appointment(s), meeting patients at first visit, referrals to internal and external resources and directions on how to access services and care, follows up with the patient to close gaps in care, as instructedDevelops a service plan of action for meeting client's assessed needs, documents health education sessions, and completes accurate charts and electronic medical records in preparation for Ryan White Chiago Department of Public Health (CDPH) AuditsAdheres to all applicable State, local, and Federal lawParticipates in Quality Improvement activitiesParticipates in continuing education in HIV/STI to remain currentProtects Protected Health Information (PHI) and complies with Cook County Health Privacy PolicyAssists in the preparation of data and presentations for stakeholders and meetingsPerforms other duties as assigned  

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or GED equivalent with one (1) year of experience in HIV related health services is required (Must provide copy of diploma at the time of interview)Demonstrated cultural competence and/or experience with diverse populations, including: MSM, those recently released from incarceration, sex workers, individuals of extremely low income, substance users and/or those in recovery, and homeless individuals is requiredMust be able to work non-traditional work hours including nights or weekends, as requested is requiredMust be willing to travel throughout Cook County Health ACHN sites (e.g. CORE PCMH and Cermak Health Services) is requiredProficiency using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) is required

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is preferred (Must provide official transcript at the time of interview)Experience working in an infectious disease setting or with patients at risk/vulnerable to HIV/Hepatitis is preferred

Experience with Justice Involved Population is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groupsStrong customer service and empathy skillsDemonstrates good computer and typing skillsDemonstrate good phone and email etiquette skills with strong response timesAbility to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environmentAbility to adhere to department policies and standards utilizing best practicesAbility to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challengedAbility to handle confidential informationMust be able to stand and sit for prolonged periods of time.Must be able to lift 20 lb. boxes occasionally, frequent walking, occasional bending

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

· Meet   the minimum qualifications for the position.

· Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"

· Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing.  Please note:  If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date.  Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status.  Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

•    Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

•    Basic Term Life Insurance

•    Pension Plan

•    Deferred Compensation Program

•    Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

•    You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  
For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:
 

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents bust be presented at time of interview.

*Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.

*CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH & HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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