Peer Coordinator

About the role

The Peer Coordinator will provide client-centered support and education to clients living with HIV. Working collaboratively with the client’s care team, the Peer Coordinator will coordinate and advocate for services that promote positive health outcomes. Peers bring firsthand experience of living with HIV, enabling clients to discuss personal issues in a safe environment with someone who can relate to their situation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and address barriers to care, anticipate and pre-empt potential problems, and promote patient self-efficacy through teaching, coaching, and emotional support.
• Orient new patients to grant support services, clinic services, and clinic staff.
• Navigate patients to medical visits and other health and human services appointments.
• Outreach to all new referrals within 5 work days; make reminder calls and follow up on missed appointments.
• Provide educational and organizational materials and support education and adherence assistance through individual or group activities.
• Meet patients in their homes and escort them to appointments as needed.
• Conduct outreach to clients who have become lost to contact and make follow-up phone calls to patients who miss appointments, if receptive.
• Ensure program goals of client outcomes are documented in AIRS to meet annual service units; demonstrate ability to set priorities and manage time efficiently.
• Document all interventions with the client or on their behalf in AIRS accurately and without error; complete documentation immediately following the intervention.
• Submit program-specific monthly monitoring data no later than the 5th of the following month.
• Attend the AIDS Institute’s Peer Certification program to completion.
• Protect client confidential health care and personal information at all times; ensure appropriate consent forms are signed and updated; disclose information only with client consent.
• Safeguard electronic devices and passwords.
• Work as a team player to enhance the program; address staff and client concerns in an open, solution-oriented manner and refer case management/client needs to the Administrator ACC.
• Participate actively in the Department’s Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance efforts, including participation in the Department’s Quality Improvement Committee.

Qualifications

• Experience living with HIV with proficiency in managing care and medication adherence.
• Experience with sexual health education and harm reduction strategies preferred.
• High School diploma or GED.
• Completion of NYS Department of Health’s Peer Education Training or willingness to complete.
• NYS HIV Confidentiality Certificate.
• Protected time to complete the NYS DOH AIDS Institute Peer Certification Training requirements and supported in applying to become a Certified Peer Worker (CPW).
• Participate in regular continuing education surrounding HIV.
• Maintain annual NYS HIV Confidentiality Certificate.
• Specific language skills may be required; bilingual Spanish preferred (reading, writing, speaking).
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office; well-developed interpersonal skills; effective verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrates confidence, good judgment, and the ability to plan, organize, develop, and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for quality care.
• Ability to recognize problems, approach them objectively, and work collaboratively toward solutions.