Prevention Navigator

Overview

Housing Works remains committed to its Ending the Epidemic priorities of advancing PrEP equity and expanding HIV testing opportunities. These priorities are central functions of the Biomedical Prevention Services department. The Prevention Navigator truly “meets clients where they are” by providing prevention services in a variety of settings including in our health centers and in virtual spaces. Removing barriers to care, the priority is to connect clients to HIV prevention clinical services and maintaining engagement in care. The Prevention Navigator works with clients in a holistic manner and is responsible for establishing connections to the array of other Housing Works services as determined by the clients individualized social care needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally competent education on HIV prevention and treatment options
• Facilitate access to HIV prevention clinical services
• Support clients including: perform assessments, history taking, benefits evaluation and health education
• Refer clients to internal and external service providers based on assessment results in a client centered manner
• Perform HIV, Hep C, and STI rapid testing; deliver results with sensitivity and ensure clients move seamlessly through all next steps
• Support Telehealth services by conducting at-home HIV, Hep C, and STI testing with new clients
• Refer clients to other Housing Works services like psychiatry, behavioral health care, harm reduction, and care management
• Ensure clients meet with any providers requested including by supporting clients in the use of the telehealth Works in collaboration with the other departments (e.g., Health Home, Youth and Prevention Services, OASAS Substance Use Treatment, OMH Mental Health Care, Community Partnerships)
• Proactively engage potential clients from social media leads
• Adhere to privacy and information security requirements (HIPAA) and other regulations
• Document client interaction via required program documents and progress notes, with the required timeframe, via the electronic health record(s)
• Use culturally competent, sex-positive, non-stigmatizing language to discuss client history and care needs
• Oversee prevention population across the clinic site
• Track inter and intra-departmental enrollments, patient progress, and disenrollment, reporting data to funders and quality committees, as requested
• Attend monthly quality improvement meetings and participate in initiatives as designed by the care team or assigned by leadership
• Perform functions, duties and/or services in compliance with regulatory agencies, contractual obligations and funding source requirements
• Participate in Housing Works advocacy events (minimum 7 per year)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a health field or equivalent in experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, in collaborative settings, required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• Understands and is committed to maintaining highest level of confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to build the trust and respect of patients, staff, colleagues, external contacts, and other Housing Works members
• Sensitivity to needs of culturally and linguistically diverse patient and employee population
• Commitment to the harm reduction philosophy
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed the Service Excellence Standards of Housing Works
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, as needed
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technology and willing to develop and adapt to the evolving technological requirements of modern medical health center practices

Benefits

We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.