Peer Navigator - Patchogue, NY

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide culturally competent client support and advocacy, conduct community outreach to identify, engage and re-engage clients into care/services and to market program services.  Provide additional support services as needed, assist in coaching elements and assist in monitoring client’s progress. 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITES:

¨ Conduct a wide range of community outreach to market program services, identify and engage target population in services;

¨ Educate clients on the health benefits of medical care engagement, retention, HIV medication adherence and viral suppression;

¨ Encourage clients to engage or re-engage in HIV medical care by addressing barriers preventing them achieving optimal health outcomes;

¨ Assist clients in developing skills needed to ensure treatment adherence and viral suppression;

¨ Address treatment adherence needs and coach clients in adherence skills;

¨ Teach and help clients to navigate the care system and how to access needed services through Ryan White Program;

¨ Provide referrals and accompaniment to appointments to ensure linkage to medical care and treatment;

¨ Enhance engagement in care by assisting clients with appointment reminders;

¨ Collaborate with medical service providers/staff to maximize linkage to care and retention in care;

¨ Network with community agencies and organizations in order to establish referral linkages;

¨ Participant in EOC’s Consumer Advisory Board Meetings;

¨ Participate in in-service trainings and on-site workshops as required for professional growth and development. Attend external trainings and workshops at direction of management;

¨ Participate in minimum of 1-hour biweekly supervision and 1- hour of group supervision per month;

¨ Attend programs, departmental agency meetings, and perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or required by agency policies and procedures;

¨ Provide data entry support when needed;

¨ Maintains strict confidentiality of all client related information;

¨ Other responsibilities as directed by supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS: 

¨ Comfortable disclosing HIV status

¨ HIV + medication and appointment adherent role model

¨ Knowledge of community resources and referrals for HIV/STD/HVC testing and screenings, PrEP and Pep, mental health, care coordination, and additional appropriate client-centered referrals;

¨ Ability to work as part of a team with co-workers and with other colleagues as necessary; 

¨ Bilingual (English/ Spanish) a plus

¨ Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong interpersonal and organizational skills;

¨ Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration statues, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment;

¨ Familiar with Word, Excel, and Power Point and experience with data management systems

¨ Ability to follow directions and communicate well (orally and in writing);

¨ Must be Peer Certified in the HIV track or achieve Peer Certification within 6 months of hire

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or G.E.D. preferred. Must have experience in at least two of the following areas: peer education outreach, group facilitation, volunteer coordination or support, and/or community organizing/mobilization.  Strong written, oral communication, public speaking a plus. Must have relevant lived experience and be comfortable sharing their health status.

• A Valid Driver's License or NY State ID
• PPD (TB test required with proof of results; no more than 1 year old)