Community Health Navigator (HIV/STI Focus)

East Tennessee State University; Tennessee; On-site; USD 47,800 - 58,423; Full time

Job summary

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Infectious Diseases seeks a compassionate Community Health Navigator (HIV/STI Focus) to support Johnson City and Kingsport communities. You will provide intensive care coordination, patient navigation, and outreach to promote HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and linkage to care, reducing barriers and improving health outcomes.

You will collaborate with patients, providers, and partners, coordinate follow-up, assist with transportation, and ensure

Qualifications

• Knowledge of culturally competent, patient-centered care and understanding health disparities.
• Experience providing HIV/STI prevention education including PrEP/PEP counseling, risk assessments, readiness screening, and risk-reduction coaching.
• Ability to provide HIV/STI testing and client-centered pre- and post-test counseling.
• Knowledge of HIV prevention and treatment resources and connecting clients to medical care and community resources.
• Experience assisting patients with insurance navigation and PAP/PrEP-AP/ADAP resources.
• Ability to coordinate follow-up care, support medication adherence, and assist with transportation.
• Strong collaboration with healthcare providers and community partners to support HIV prevention and care services.
• Maintain accurate documentation and protect patient confidentiality per HIPAA.
• Experience in community outreach and engaging underserved populations.
• Ability to provide inclusive sexual health education to LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other priority communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive care coordination and patient navigation for HIV/STI services.
• Support HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and linkage to care.
• Coordinate follow-up care and assist with appointment scheduling and transportation.
• Engage with community partners to deliver outreach and health education programs.
• Maintain HIPAA-compliant documentation and data integrity.

Skills

Culturally competent care

HIV/STI prevention education

Testing and counseling

Care coordination

Insurance navigation

Patient transportation assistance

Collaboration with care teams

HIPAA/compliance

Community outreach

LGBTQ+/priority communities outreach

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public health, social services, or related field

Job description

Job Summary

ETSU Infectious Diseases is seeking a compassionate and motivated Community Health Navigator (HIV/STI Focus) to join our team serving the Johnson City and Kingsport communities. In this vital role, you will help individuals access HIV/STI prevention and care services by providing intensive care coordination, patient navigation, and community outreach. Working closely with patients, providers, and community partners, you will support HIV/STI testing, harm reduction initiatives, PrEP navigation, and linkage to HIV/STI care, ensuring patients receive the resources and ongoing support needed to achieve positive health outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about reducing barriers to care, promoting sexual health, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of underserved populations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of culturally competent, patient-centered care with an understanding of health disparities and barriers to healthcare access.
• Experience providing HIV/STI prevention education, including PrEP/PEP counseling, risk assessments, readiness screening, and risk-reduction coaching.
• Ability to provide HIV/STI testing and client-centered pre- and post-test counseling.
• Knowledge of HIV prevention and treatment resources, with the ability to connect clients to medical care, supportive services, and community resources.
• Experience assisting patients with insurance navigation, patient assistance programs (PAP), PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP), AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), and other financial assistance resources.
• Ability to coordinate follow-up care, support medication adherence, schedule appointments, and assist with transportation when needed.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with healthcare providers, care teams, and community partners to support high-quality HIV prevention and care services.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation, ensure data integrity, and protect patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Experience developing and participating in community outreach, health fairs, educational events, and targeted engagement strategies to reach underserved and high-risk populations.
• Ability to provide inclusive sexual health education and build partnerships with organizations serving LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other priority communities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social services, or a related field and one to two (1-2) years of case management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Social Work Degree
• Experience in HIV/STI counseling, prevention, and support services

Compensation and Benefits

• Job Family – Social Services Professional 2
• Salary MR 7 - ($53,112.67)
• For more information regarding benefits, please visit Employee Health Benefits

Important Notes

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires on-site work.
• Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

University Overview (as needed)

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is an institution with over 14,000 diverse students highly ranked graduate and undergraduate programs. Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, ETSU serves as a hub for community, discovery, and service. Aligned with the institution’s mission, we value efforts to engage in teaching, scholarship, creative activities, and service that involve community partners and address significant societal needs in our region and beyond. Recognized in 2024 as a Great College to Work For, recent strategic initiatives prioritize the institution’s focus on community engagement.

ETSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Job Summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this classification. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require different tasks to be performed as assigned to reflect changes in the position. Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.