Treatment Link Specialist (bilingual English/Spanish)

The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco. The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services.

We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve with a focus on the Latino Spanish-Speaking Communities.

We are currently looking for qualified candidates for our

Treatment Link Specialist

role. This position reports to the

HIV Prevention & Wellness Manager

and is a Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt role with a starting

hourly wage of $24.00 to $27.00

with full benefits . Primary Objective:
The Treatment Link Specialist (TLS) works with "hard to reach populations" to facilitate access of HIV positive individuals to HIV primary medical care and other support services. The TLS is responsible for conducting outreach, groups, providing HIV Testing, case management, and supportive counseling to newly diagnosed HIV-positive clients, out-of-care HIV-positive clients, and/or clients at risk for HIV infection. The TLS must be able to work independently and show excellent judgment related to client issues and needs, while also working in conjunction with the HIV multi-disciplinary team to advance recruitment of new clients and support client retention and treatment adherence.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Treatment Linkage & Follow Up (40%)

Serve as the first contact for internal MNHC referrals of potential clients identified through the HIV Testing Program, Teen Clinic, Adult Medicine, Women's Clinic, as well as the Excelsior and Mission Neighborhood Resource Center's Clinics.
Conducts screening and HIV treatment readiness assessment with eligible clients and provides treatment education and supportive counseling to at-risk individuals who have not tested for HIV or to HIV-positive individuals that are out of care.
Develop a service linkage plan with eligible clients and implement the plan through the provision of interventions (i.e., RAPID, counseling and education), coordination with HIV Services multi-disciplinary team, and/or through facilitated referrals to other care providers.
For clients interested in enrolling in care at MNHC/Clnica Esperanza, screen for eligibility and if eligible, initiate client enrollment, including ARIES Data completion, signed consent forms, and facilitate registration at Clnica Esperanza with the Clinic Receptionist. Ensure client is scheduled for an Evaluation Blood Draw and doctor's visit within 4 weeks of engagement (unless clients requires medical care sooner).
Empower and educate clients to make informed decisions regarding their utilization of relevant services.
Maintain a relationship with all clients after linkage to care, through periodic follow-up defined by patient needs and in consultation with the SSC and Recruitment and Retention Coordinator.
Conduct follow-up outreach in places where HIV-positive clients are located - who are either out of, marginally in, or in early maintenance of HIV primary medical care and other related services.
Build rapport, provides supportive counseling, and discusses/addresses barriers preventing client linkages to HIV primary medical care.
Conduct case finding outings, such as home visits.
With the assistance of the SSC, coordinate and collaborate with the TOW and Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, to ensure activities are not duplicated and clients are receiving all required services. Maintain sufficient knowledge of the TLS case load in order to provide support in the event of vacation/leave.
Attend weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings and present treatment readiness assessment and service plan when warranted. Attend bi-weekly HIV Prevention team meetings and discusses clients served. Participate in other staff meetings and in-service trainings. Receive bi-weekly clinical and administrative supervision.
Submit monthly activity reports and statistical data to the HIV Prevention and Wellness Supervisor, SSC and RRC as requested.
Document and maintain client records for services provided.
Assist Clnica Esperanza clients with supportive services as necessary, such as escorting to appointments, serving as translator, and accessing other services.
Outreach & Event Planning (35%)

With the Prevention and Wellness Supervisor, lead the Prevention and Wellness team in coordinating special events to promote HIV testing, linkages to care, health and wellness, prevention education, etc. - includes planning the annual event calendar as well as coordinating the team to prepare for and implement each event (approx. 4 events per year).
Assist in preparing outreach materials.
Conduct street outreach in settings where clients at risk for HIV infection gather.
Conduct venue-based outings at locations frequented by clients at increased risk for HIV infection.
Support online outreach and client engagement utilizing social media venues to increase client self-referrals to HIV Testing and Care.
Health Education/Outreach Groups (5%)

Available to provide group education and organizational presentations as necessary and requested, by HIV Prevention and Wellness Supervisor or Recruitment and Retention Coordinator or through established relationship or request by other community organizations.
HIV Counseling, Linkage Testing, and Linkage Testing (CTL) (20%)

Provides HIV risk reduction counseling, risk assessment and disclosure sessions to persons seeking Confidential HIV Testing.
HIV Testing: collect appropriate samples, runs rapid HIV tests, external controls, and records test results for counselors.
Provide referrals to clients as needed and maintain referral information.
Provide follow-up for clients not returning to receive the necessary services.
Serve as contact person for linkage to care referrals of clients testing HIV-positive.
Complete CTL client records.
Assist in maintaining the program's statistical databases.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:

High school diploma required, Bachelors degree preferred. Two years work experience preferred.
Bilingual Spanish/English required.
CA HIV Testing Counselor certificate required.
Ability to communication effectively with target groups. Demonstrated ability to work independently and show appropriate judgement and decision making while working to meet the demands and needs of a client-centered environment.
Ability to work professionally and ethically within multi-cultural settings, including ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons, documents, data, and communications.
Sensitivity to HIV/AIDS and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender issues.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following:
Medical Insurance - MNHC pays 90-100% based on plan
Dental and Vision Insurance - free to employee
Life Insurance - free basic policy plus voluntary option
Flexible Spending Accounts for health & dependent care expenses
Commuter benefits for public transportation expenses
Vacation - 2 weeks (3 weeks after 5 yrs; 4 weeks after 8 yrs)
12 Paid Holidays plus your birthday and 12 Sick Days each year
40 hours Paid Educational Leave
401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Contribution

Mission Neighborhood Health Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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