Prevention Specialist

Description

Cornerstone Family Healthcare is actively recruiting for a Prevention Specialist to join our growing team in Newburgh.

RATE OF PAY/SALARY: $21.98 per hour

WORK LOCATION(S): Newburgh, NY 

STATUS: Full-Time

CORNERSTONE BENEFITS:

Competitive salaries I Health Benefits  I Retirement plan  I Paid Time Off  I Sick Time I Flexible Spending I Dependent Care I Paid Holidays

CORNERSTONE’S MISSION:

Cornerstone Family Healthcare is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center with a mission to provide high quality, comprehensive, primary and preventative health care services in an environment of caring, dignity and respect to all people regardless of their ability to pay. For more than fifty years, Cornerstone has been responsive to meeting the needs of the communities in which we serve with a continued emphasis on the underserved and those without access to health care regardless of race, economic status, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

General Purpose:

Under the supervision of the Syringe Services Program (SSP) Program Supervisor, the SSP Prevention Specialist is a member of a mobile van based outreach program which provides syringe exchange, testing, counseling and referrals to PWUD in the communities within Ulster, Orange, Sullivan and Dutchess Counties. 

Key Competencies: 

• Conduct outreach to PWUD at the community level as within shelters, soup kitchens and other community based organizations in order to publicize program services and recruit potential clients.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community providers and work collaboratively to make PWUD aware of health issues and their risk for HIV/HCV.
• Provide HIV/HCV counseling, testing (rapid finger stick), referrals, IDI’s and partner services to clients at risk and their partners.
• Provide ESAP vouchers, PrEP information and information on opioid overdose prevention to clients to increase awareness      of HIV/HCV transmission and to increase risk reduction skills.
• Comply with chart requirements, testing protocol, timely data entry and other agency policies and procedures.
• Responsible for proper maintenance and cleanliness of the agency vehicle.
• Provide Narcan trainings to clients and community members.

Description of Duties:

• Observe and abide by HIPAA and the HIV Confidentiality Law.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with administrators and staff at community-based resources and local police precincts in the area in which the program provides services.
• Attend training for the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program (NARCAN) and such other trainings as assigned.
• Perform HIV/HCV testing (rapid finger stick) and counseling to PWUD.
• Provide referrals to drug treatment, benefits, medical treatment and HIV/HCV services, where applicable.
• Provide follow-up on all referrals.
• Ensure that client charts are complete and filled out properly in accordance with program standards and goals and in keeping with the objectives as stated in the annual workplan and in compliance with agency policies and procedures. 
• Enter client data on screening, intake, enrollment and follow-up into the agency’s AIDS Institute Report System (AIRS) in a careful and timely manner consistent with agency policies.
• Review, develop and continually assess the demands for services in the community where SSP provides services, to ensure services are effective and reaching the priority population. 
• Ensure vehicle maintenance and cleanliness is carried out on a regular basis, track mileage and turn-in fuel receipts to the main office in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in supervision with the SSP Program Supervisor on a weekly basis.
• Assist in program and van coverage as needed.
• Attend and participate in monthly department, All Staff and other required meetings. 
• Be familiar with Cornerstone policies and procedures and the Employee Handbook. 
• Maintain confidentiality of all aspects of Cornerstone including, but not limited to, patient confidentiality, financials, and employee relations. 
• Conduct outreach to enroll new program participants and promote the program
• Conduct Narcan trainings for both clients and community members,
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, health, human services or related field with experience in outreach, HIV, STI and HCV counseling and prevention.
• Or an Associates Degree with two years of experience in peer education, HIV/AIDS counseling and/or disease prevention will be considered.
• Or High School Diploma with four years of experience in peer education, HIV/AIDS counseling and/or disease prevention will be considered.
• Minimum of one year experience working with PWUD, drug treatment, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, mental health and/or community resources.