Health Educator & Infectious Disease Tester

Argus Community, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester at Argus Community, Inc. will support HIV/HCV/STI testing programs, provide counseling and on/off-site testing, and refer clients to care facilities to learn their status.

The role requires at least 2 years in health education or related work, experience in pre/post-test counseling, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to travel to testing sites, including some night or weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Health Educator or comparable experience.
• Experience as a communicable disease Pre-test/Post-test Counselor; Certification preferred.
• Experience facilitating group education workshops and providing one-on-one health counseling, support and information.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to identified testing sites.
• Flexibility with work schedule. Able to work nights and occasional weekends.
• Basic Microsoft Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Upholds and adheres to the Argus Community Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Reports to the Vice President of Care Coordination Services and Vice President of Prevention Services.
• Conducts field and agency screening activities to identify those whose HIV/HCV/STI status is unknown to them.
• Uses culturally sensitive best practices to increase the availability and offering of rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing.
• Ensures Pre-test and post-test counseling sessions and testing are to be delivered in a confidential manner.
• Properly label, handle, and transport specimens following departmental policies, sort specimens received and process specimens for delivery to laboratory departments.
• Complete partner services and NYS provider report form on all new HIV/STI diagnoses to health department and partner with field services unit on contact tracing related matters.
• Provides HIV/HCV/STI awareness/education sessions including but not limited to HIV/HCV/STI prevention, risk reduction, PEP and PrEP.
• Ensures that individuals who test positive are successfully linked to medical care including confirming kept initial appointments while maintaining compliance with confidentiality regulations including 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA.
• Ensures referrals are made for those who test positive to supportive services including but not limited to mental health care, Health Home or Ryan White care management/care coordination, entitlements services, syringe exchange programs, NYC DOHMH partner notification services, and peer support programs.
• Maintains client case records that delineate involvement in the service and are maintained in accordance with applicable state and federal confidentiality laws.
• Assists with program data entry, including supporting documentation for required funder reporting.
• Completes appropriate documentation of counseling and educational sessions.
• Maintains organized filing system, and submits all paperwork and documentation to program staff by designated deadline.
• Assists with health education and workshop event planning.
• Attends all required staff meetings and trainings.
• Responsible for all other duties or assignments given by the VP of Care Coordination, VP of Prevention Services, CSO and CEO.

Skills

Health educator experience

Counseling & testing

Group workshops

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Flexible schedule

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester at Argus Community, Inc. will support HIV/HCV/STI testing programs, provide counseling and on/off-site testing, and refer clients to care facilities to learn their status.

The role requires at least 2 years in health education or related work, experience in pre/post-test counseling, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to travel to testing sites, including some night or weekend shifts.