Community Health Worker

Job Description

INTRODUCTION

Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Community Health Worker is responsible for supporting newly diagnosed or out-of-care HIV+ patients to fully engage or reengage in HIV medical care to improve their health and quality of life. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, coordinating with the Infectious Diseases team to identify individuals who are HIV-positive and not receiving HIV medical care to build trust and inform them about living with HIV, providing personalized assistance to help them enter medical care, and providing support until they are established in care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Works collaboratively with Unity providers, nursing and social service staff to identify HIV+ patients lost to care; in addition, conducts outreach to the community to locate lost to care patients.

Provides personalized assistance to help out of care patients enter or reenter medical care; provides support until they are fully engaged in medical care.

Provides accurate information to clients about living with HIV, preventing further transmission, the benefits and challenges of HIV care and treatment, and how to access available services.

Develops a professional, therapeutic working relationship with clients.

Collaborates with Social Service staff to assist with case management needs related to addictions, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence, pregnancy, family issues and on-going support.

Helps patients develop confidence about their participation in HIV treatment.

Accurately documents and locks all patient encounters in eClinical Works (eCW) and responds to messages, referrals, and tcons within established time frames per electronic medical record policy.

Participates in professional development opportunities.

Attends departmental, health center, providers meetings and mandatory trainings and meetings.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

· High school diploma or equivalent.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Extensive experience with HIV, substance abuse, incarceration, homelessness and other issues facing out of care HIV+ individuals.

Knowledge of DC community resources and services; ability to assess clients for needs related to treatment education, risk reduction and prevention.

Basic computer skills and the ability to type.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Community Health Worker doesn’t have direct reports. The position reports to the Social Services Director and Program Manager for the Transition of Care.

Full-time