HIV Health Navigator

SUMMARY: The HIV Health Navigator will assist patients of Esperanza Health Center (EHC) who are living with HIV with following care recommendations and prevent future complications. This includes but is not limited to: performing outreach to patients overdue for laboratory testing, ensuring patients attend recommended medical visits, and supporting adherence to antiretroviral medications to maintain viral load suppression and to prevent transmission. The Navigator will support patients by assisting with referrals for identified barriers related to social drivers of health (SDOH); and connecting patients with EHC and community resources. The Navigator will work particularly with patients experiencing disparities in viral load suppression, including historically, our African American patients. This position is Part Time with a scheduled 8 Hours per Week schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Flexibility.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Treatment Adherence:
   1. Collaborates with the primary care team to:

1. Contact HIV patients who have missed appointments to encourage re-engagement
2. Track patients lost to care (after 90 days of no HIV services)
3. Make efforts to locate and re-engage lost to care patients in HIV primary care

1. Outreach:
   1. Ensure that complete, up-to-date information is maintained in patient chart and their preferred method of contact is recorded
   2. Use all appropriate methods to locate patients considered lost to care and re-engage them in medical care
   3. Develop and maintain strong relationships with other community health, social support and substance abuse treatment agencies to facilitate keeping patients in care and conducting case finding
   4. Attends community events as needed (i.e., health and resource fairs)
   5. Identify barriers related to viral load suppression including Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) and connect patients with necessary resources.
   6. Connect patients to resources to assist them in maintaining healthy lifestyles, including but not limited to: HIV Peer Support Group, Behavioral health support, including visits and groups at EHC, EHC Lifestyle Medicine classes and Fitness membership at the CORE
   7. Identify barriers related to viral load suppression including Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) and connect patients with necessary resources.

1. General:
   1. Willingly participate within the overall parameters of this position as a flexible employee open to necessary changes in responsibility as determined by the HIV Program & Outreach Coordinator
   2. Attend any HIV Program conference calls/meetings, as needed
   3. Keeps written documentation of all in-reach and outreach efforts, along with all patient encounters
   4. Other duties, as assigned.

SPIRITUAL CARE:

1. Provide spiritual encouragement, prayer, and other spiritual outreach to patients
2. Participate in personal and community spiritual growth, including EHC devotions/retreats
3. Communicate the love of Christ through interactions, not complaining or arguing, but expressing hope in Christ and His promises

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. MOTIVATION

• Express enthusiasm and a positive attitude and interest in the job
• Exhibit self-motivation in undertaking new projects and assignments
• Independently identify and resolve problems
• Pursue personal and professional development

1. COMMUNICATION

• Display respectful communication with supervisor, coworkers and patients
• Verbally present ideas and opinions in a clear and concise manner
• Present written communication in a clear, concise, and well organized manner
• Make supervisor aware of patient home visits and when leaving the office
• Use effective listening skills and allow others to convey ideas
• Provide information to supervisor and staff regarding status of patients, projects, programs
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication with other staff
• Maintain confidentiality, following all HIPAA guidelines
• Demonstrate cultural humility, strong cross-cultural sensitivity and experiences
• Strive to put others at ease and to communicate in ways they can understand
• Make hospitality and responsiveness to patients and each other a habit
• Notify supervisor prior to scheduled start time if anticipating lateness or absence

1. DOCUMENTATION

• To be done as per HIV Department protocol

1. QUALITY / SERVICE

• Make consistent efforts to control costs, seeking ways to increase productivity and improve quality
• Ensure proper completion of work activities in a timely manner
• Recognize critical situations and respond effectively
• Maintain professional boundaries, taking on tasks within limits of job description

1. TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Continue personal and professional growth by recognizing current trends in specialty and effectively preparing to meet anticipated changes
• Serve as a resource by providing technical knowledge to others seeking assistance

1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work in harmonious partnership with EHC staff and volunteers to further EHC's mission and vision, to accomplish common goals, and to coordinate various activities
• Adhere to policies and procedures of the health center and the regulations of governing agencies, recommending changes where appropriate
• Promote and follow "safety" practices, including remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety.
• Seek timely reconciliation with others following biblical principles when wronged or after doing wrong to someone else
• Favorably represent Christ and His mission within and outside of EHC
• Adhere to dress code policy at all times
• Demonstrate good attendance and punctuality, reporting for work as scheduled
• Participate in departmental meetings and general staff meetings, including attending EHC Care Team Meetings twice a month

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School Diploma
2. Spanish language proficiency is preferred, but not required.
3. Solid interpersonal skills, including handling challenging people, communicate warmth and be able to put people at ease
4. Ability to remain calm in a chaotic situation
5. Take initiative in communication, being clear and direct; effectively communicate with staff, other organizations and clients
6. Able to organize and prepare culturally specific and client centered contact with patients
7. Ability to form and follow a plan
8. Computer literacy, including being able to enter data into a database. Competency in Google Suite, knowledge of database and data analysis preferred.
9. Ability to use visual aids as appropriate
10. Possession of a solid record of handling confidential information, as well as demonstrating trustworthiness and honesty in all transactions
11. Solid character references with no criminal record
12. Solid record of timeliness and reliability in a work setting
13. Knowledgeable about AIDS, STD's, HIV
14. Conversant in the basic clinical guidelines for the treatment of HIV
15. Ability to learn new information and share it with others in a modified form
16. Ability to work with clinical team to assess patient involvement in regular HIV care
17. Familiarity with community services and resources relevant to people living with HIV
18. Ability to develop trusted relationships with patients
19. Ability to travel to multiple office locations, and conduct home visits as necessary.

Willingness to show respect, kindness and compassion to patients identifying with the LGBTQ+ community.