Prevention Specialist - Community Health Engagement program

About the role

The Prevention Specialist provides prevention and outreach strategies to populations at risk for HIV infection, STIs, and viral hepatitis. Responsibilities include opioid overdose prevention, outreach and counseling, Narcan distribution and other supply access and education, infectious disease counseling and testing, and post-overdose follow-ups. Strategies encompass both group-level and individual-level interventions. The specialist collaborates with community groups and agencies to advance prevention/education models and streamline referrals. The position requires a flexible schedule, including evening hours, to provide targeted outreach.

Responsibilities

• Work with the prevention team to identify priority populations in Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Hull and surrounding communities to focus prevention outreach efforts.
• Assist with the development and implementation of strategies for providing prevention and education to identified populations, both to individuals and groups.
• Screen, interview, and counsel individuals who feel they are at risk of HIV/STI/Hep C infection.
• Collect specimens (blood/urine) and swabs for HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C testing and send such specimens to appropriate testing sites.
• Provide and distribute materials such as condoms, syringes, bleach, pipes, fentanyl test strips, printed material, and other harm reduction materials designed to decrease the target population's risk of infectious disease, overdose, and other substance use-related illnesses.
• Develop and provide appropriate referrals for clients in need of services.
• Perform individual-level interventions.
• Facilitate educational groups in substance use treatment centers and for community groups.
• Assume the role of HIV/STI/Hepatitis C content and resource specialist for the company's providers and staff.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and trainings to expand knowledge of STIs, HIV, Hepatitis C, substance use, and related topics, and stay current on new developments as required by supervisor or designee.
• Complete all necessary paperwork in a timely and accurate fashion, and manage time appropriately to allow for completion of paperwork.
• Establish and maintain good rapport and harmonious relationships with staff, clients, and other program-related individuals.
• Execute duties to reflect reasonable safety standards; universal/standard precautions must be utilized and training obtained in areas that constitute risk.
• Perform duties consistent with the company's Community Health Center policies and procedures.
• Perform other related work duties as needed or as required by supervisor or designee.

Requirements

• High School diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred with minimum two years of professional or lived experience in health education, substance use services, or HIV services.
• Knowledge of HIV, STI, and Hepatitis transmission required.
• Demonstrates a level of comfort working with diverse populations, including people recently released from prison, people who use drugs, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people experiencing houselessness, and people who do sex work.
• Phlebotomy experience preferred; willingness to learn required.
• Self-directed, flexible, with excellent teaching and interpersonal skills.
• Displays excellent judgment skills.
• Demonstrates ability to strictly adhere to confidentiality requirements.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail with excellent record-keeping skills.
• Must have dependable/reliable transportation, as the position requires travel to and from client sites and external training.

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance through Blue Cross and Blue Shield, with benefits beginning the first day of work.
• Vision benefits through Eye-Med.
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Medical Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 35 days of paid time off (15 vacation days, 12 holidays, and 8 sick days).
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match after the first year of employment.
• Opportunities for reduced tuition for a clinical Master's degree.
• Opportunities for student loan forgiveness.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Two-week orientation, training, and shadowing.
• Weekly group supervision and weekly individual supervision.
• Daily mentoring and support.
• Immediate access to comprehensive online self-paced CEU trainings.
• Opportunities for certification in evidence-based practices.

Pay

$22.98 – $24.40 per hour.