HIV TESTER/COUNSELOR Job at Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago

Reports to: PHI Associate Director

Program/Department: Public Health Initiatives

Classification: Exempt

Revision Date: January 2023

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Conduct HIV testing and counseling, PrEP navigation, health education, outreach, and recruitment activities for one or more of the projects and initiatives of the Vida/SIDA program. The position is full-time, contingent on grant funding. Working hours are flexible, including evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the target population.

TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM EACH ESSENTIAL DUTY SATISFACTORILY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND/OR ABILITY REQUIRED. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engages clients and provides HIV testing and counseling services
• Educates and refers eligible patients to PrEP
• Provides HIV prevention information and referral services to the target populations residing in the Greater Chicago area
• Completes testing material inventory every week
• Prepares and submits testing material orders to the supervisor every week
• Distributes safer sex information and supplies
• Distributes harm-reduction kits
• Schedules and conducts educational sessions on safer sex behavior and skill-building for healthy living
• Completes required program paperwork and client form according to program policies and procedures with great attention to detail
• Engages in outreach activities as needed to identify and recruit clients
• Attends health fairs, conferences, and events to provide services and conduct outreach activities
• Reports to supervisor on weekly progress and activities
• Maintains tracking of progress towards reaching weekly goals and communicates with supervisor to evaluate strategies to improve performance
• Maintains client confidentiality and complies with any Federal, State, and City regulations as well as Vida/SIDA security and privacy policies intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information
• Attends the PRCC and program-specific and organizational activities and meetings, including but not limited to the monthly organization-wide General Assembly
• Participates in organizational annual events including but not limited to the Puerto Rican People’s Parade, Fiesta Boricua, Three Kings Day, Haunted Paseo Boricua
• Performs other functions assigned

This position requires compliance with all of The PRCC’s written standards, including its Standards of Conduct, all policies and procedures, and Regulatory Compliance requirements. Compliance will be considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience providing HIV counseling and testing (certification preferred or obtained within 30 days of employment)
• Sensitivity to HIV issues and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and language diversity
• Ability to effectively deliver oral and written presentations
• Ability to adapt to varying work environments including but not limited to weather-related conditions
• Ability to work with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and sexual diversity
• Flexibility with work schedule as the position will require some evening and/or weekend hours.

SKILLS:

• Bilingual - English/Spanish preferred
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills
• Works independently with a strong sense of focus, task-oriented, non-judgmental, open personal qualities, and clear sense of boundaries

LICENSURE:

• Certified to facilitate HIV counseling and testing services preferred
• Certified phlebotomist or medical assistant preferred

EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or GED and minimum of 2 years experience (preferably with the target population and/or community-based organization)

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

OSHA Category 1 – Involves exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues

Job Type: Full Time

Pay: $45,000

Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO

EEO Statement:

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that celebrates inclusion and diversity. The PRCC provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other basis or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, The PRCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.