Linkage to Care Specialist

About the Role

A Linkage to Care Specialist contributes to AHF by acting as a friendly, helpful resource to clients and community partners. For clients who are newly diagnosed with HIV and/or are not currently in care, the specialist can answer questions regarding living with HIV and disclosure of status, facilitate entrance into medical care, accompany clients to their first few appointments, make referrals to complementary services, and offer HIV testing to partners and friends. The specialist enhances AHF’s reputation by linking individuals to care and providing compassionate, non-judgmental customer service, enabling AHF to support the community during critical and potentially overwhelming moments.

The role involves building and fostering relationships with agencies that offer support services, as well as groups whose clients would benefit from AHF services. As part of the work, the specialist will be a passionate advocate for AHF’s top initiatives, ensuring the organization’s Core Values and Mission remain central to all activities.

AHF operates in a dynamic environment with a collaborative organizational structure where staff are accountable to multiple leaders. The Linkage to Care Specialist will work as part of a close-knit team to play an important role in the continuum of HIV care by bridging testing with medical care and other services.

Responsibilities

• Act as a resource for clients newly diagnosed with HIV or those not currently in care, addressing questions about living with HIV and disclosure of status.
• Facilitate clients’ entrance into medical care and accompany them to their first few appointments.
• Make referrals to complementary services and offer HIV testing to partners and friends.
• Provide compassionate and non-judgmental customer service to enhance AHF’s reputation.
• Build and foster relationships with community organizations that offer support services or whose clients would benefit from AHF services.
• Advocate for AHF’s top initiatives while ensuring the organization’s Core Values and Mission stay top of mind.
• Work closely with testing programs to guide clients through next steps immediately after a reactive result.
• Assist clients in preparing for and orienting to their engagement in care, regardless of insurance status.
• Empower clients to be proactive in taking care of themselves and protecting others.

Skills

• Ability to work in a dynamic, collaborative environment with accountability to multiple leaders.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Compassionate and non-judgmental approach to customer service.
• Advocacy and passion for AHF’s mission and initiatives.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment.