HIV Peer Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and education on HIV prevention, treatment, PrEP, and PEP for diverse and underserved populations.
• Complete screenings, biopsychosocial assessments, and intake to connect patients to THCC’s continuum of services.
• Provide Ohio Department of Health Counseling, Testing, and Referral (CTR) services in clinic and community settings (must have CTR license or be willing to obtain within six months of hire).
• Collect and enter required program data into designated databases and electronic health record systems.
• Link newly diagnosed individuals and persons out of care to HIV medical care, Ryan White services, and other supportive services within established program timeframes.
• Conduct follow-up activities to support retention in care and re-engagement of individuals who have fallen out of HIV care.
• Identify and reduce barriers to care, including financial, transportation, housing, language, and cultural challenges, by linking patients to appropriate resources.
• Engage populations experiencing significant health disparities, including refugees, sex workers, people who use injection drugs, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other vulnerable communities.
• Educate patients and families on health promotion, disease prevention, chronic disease self-management, HIV care, PrEP adherence, and substance use recovery strategies.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of patient interactions, services provided, and support activities.
• Assist with grant reporting requirements by ensuring timely and accurate documentation of outreach, testing, linkage, and engagement activities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of community resources and service systems.
• Experience working with diverse patient populations.
• Experience working with marginalized populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and/or individuals receiving behavioral health services.
• Lived experience with HIV preferred.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and HIV prevention services, including PrEP and PEP services.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles.
• Familiarity with cultural competency practices and frameworks.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish) preferred, but not required.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems.