Human Services Associate - HIV Prevention

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore County is seeking a Health Navigator within the HIV Prevention Program to provide PrEP navigation, educate clients, and coordinate medical and lab appointments.

Responsibilities include scheduling, arranging transportation, verifying insurance, assisting with prior authorizations, and addressing barriers to care to support adherence and retention in HIV prevention services. Some positions may require travel between sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science.
• Experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to four years for the required education.
• Some positions may require a valid Maryland Class C driver’s license at the time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and coordinates medical and laboratory appointments with clients and follows up on missed visits.
• Coordinates transportation assistance and connects clients with community resources.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and assists with prior authorization requests and coordinating with pharmacies and insurers.
• Maintains accurate client records and assists with program data collection and reporting.
• Provides client education using approved materials and communicates barriers or concerns to clinical staff.

Skills

Client navigation

Care coordination

Public health

Communication

PHI knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral science

Job description

Pay Schedule I, Grade 25, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week.

A vacancy exists in the Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease & Environmental Health Services.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring within this class may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of license(s) certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Provides HIV PrEP patient navigation services, including client education, enrollment assistance, scheduling medical and laboratory appointments, coordinating transportation, and facilitating medication access. Assists with insurance verification, prior authorizations, pharmacy coordination, and medication assistance programs. Conducts client follow-up, maintains documentation, and addresses barriers to care to support medication adherence and retention in HIV prevention services.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Schedules and confirms medical and laboratory appointments, provides appointment reminders, and follows up with clients who miss scheduled visits.
• Coordinates transportation assistance and connects clients with available community resources.
• Verifies insurance eligibility and prescription benefits, submits and tracks medication prior authorization requests, and communicates with insurance companies, specialty pharmacies, and medication assistance programs to facilitate access to oral and injectable PrEP medications.
• Assists with medication ordering, delivery coordination, and refill requests in collaboration with clinical staff.
• Maintains accurate client records, tracks appointments, medication approvals, and follow-up activities, and assists with program data collection and reporting.
• Provides client education using approved materials, addresses nonclinical questions, and communicates barriers or concerns to appropriate clinical staff.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Provides client navigation and care coordination services for individuals seeking or receiving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through the HIV Prevention Program.
• Assists clients with enrollment, scheduling and coordinating medical appointments with Clinic Based Services, arranging laboratory appointments, and facilitating transportation to and from appointments.
• Assists clients with obtaining prescribed PrEP medications by verifying insurance coverage, coordinating with pharmacies and insurance providers, and facilitating prior authorization requests, including gathering necessary documentation and monitoring approval status.
• Identifies and addresses barriers to care, maintains communication with clients, and coordinates follow-up services to support timely initiation and continuation of PrEP.
• Collaborates with clinical providers, HIV Prevention staff, and community partners to ensure continuity of care.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level):

• The position requires knowledge of public health principles, HIV prevention and PrEP services, healthcare systems and care coordination, health insurance and medication access processes, community resources, and client navigation practices.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and protected health information (PHI) requirements, electronic health records and documentation practices, and outreach and engagement strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance):

• The position requires skill in client outreach, engagement, and navigation; skill in communicating effectively with clients, healthcare providers, insurance representatives, pharmacies, and community partners; skill in coordinating appointments, referrals, and follow-up services; skill in identifying and resolving barriers to healthcare and medication access; skill in documenting client interactions accurately in electronic health record.
• The position requires the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds; establish and maintain trusting relationships with clients and service providers; assess client needs and identify barriers to healthcare and medication access; navigate complex healthcare, insurance, and community service systems; coordinate multiple services and follow-up activities.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

Required Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science.

Experience as described in essential duties may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education.

Licenses and Certificates

Some positions within this classification may require possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license at the time of appointment.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education

Applicants are required to submit proof of education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Proof of license(s) certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency

Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org).

Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Human Services Associate
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Ave.
Towson, MD 21204

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Qualified applicants will be assigned a rating based on an evaluation of their training and experience as submitted on their application and supplemental questionnaire. Applicants are advised to state the dates, duties and responsibilities of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes. Employees in this classification may be assigned to a work shift that includes evenings, nights, weekends and/or holidays. Employees are subject to call to duty in emergencies and may be required to work overtime as needed. Employees must satisfactorily complete County sponsored CPR and First Aid training and maintain certification throughout employment.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

These positions are essentially sedentary with occasional walking, lifting, or other limited physical activities. Positions require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicant's selected for an appointment to a position in Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.