Associate Health Educator (DOH/PHD NW Region #11252)

Salary: $20.56 - $30.85 hourly / $42,773 - $64,160 annually

About the role

The New Mexico Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Prevention Program aims to reduce and prevent the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. The program provides statewide consultation, technical assistance, partner services, screening, surveillance, health care provider education, case management, and partner notification for reportable STDs.

Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) support this mission by conducting partner services and disease investigations for HIV and other reportable STDs to break the chain of infection and reduce disease incidence. Core tasks include STD surveillance and tracking, testing and screening for high-risk populations, community outreach, and interviewing persons with STDs and their partners to ensure timely treatment.

DIS also support other infectious disease activities such as harm reduction, syringe services, opiate overdose prevention education, and hepatitis screening and referral.

Responsibilities

• Conduct integrated STD and HIV partner services (PS), including case interviews, ensuring timely testing and treatment of contacts, and provision of case management.
• Conduct HIV and STD screening, including phlebotomy.
• Ensure linkage to care for newly diagnosed HIV cases.
• Ensure timely closure and complete documentation of STD and HIV PS activities in the STD surveillance database.
• Document clinical interactions or referrals in an electronic health records (EHR) system.
• Provide integrated infectious disease outreach to venues where high-risk populations can be reached (e.g., street outreach, detention centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, LGBTQ Pride events, and bars). Outreach includes testing, screening, and other clinical services as needed.
• Support other infectious disease activities such as harm reduction, syringe services, opiate overdose prevention education, and hepatitis screening and referral.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of experience in a health-related field. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience totaling two (2) years may substitute for the required experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver’s License.
• Must complete and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or pass the course as a condition of continued employment.
• Successful completion of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act) and CUA (Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act) trainings within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Blood Borne Pathogen training and successful completion of a CPR course within thirty (30) days as a condition of continued employment.
• Ability to lift up to forty (40) lbs.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has experience:

• Three (3) years minimum working with Infectious Diseases.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Three (3) years minimum in public speaking, educational presentations, and/or health-related training.
• Proficiency in multiple computer applications.
• Experience in a public health setting with a focus on prevention.
• Experience working in local communities on strategies to increase opportunities for healthy lifestyles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively and manage time efficiently.
• Strong commitment to punctuality and schedule adherence, ensuring timely follow-up and case resolution.

Working Conditions

• Work in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals (VTD) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.
• Conduct field investigations across the Northwest Region.
• Occasional travel within the state for statewide meetings, conferences, and similar events.