Linkage to Care Coordinator

The University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Linkage to Care Coordinator in Chicago to specialize in Black gender and sexually diverse populations and services related to STIs, HIV, and general wellness. You will manage retention in care and follow fidelity data collection and documentation protocols.

This grant-funded role requires active involvement in outreach, collaboration with community partners, and flexibility for evenings and weekend events.

Qualifications

• Education path is not always a four-year degree; relevant training accepted.
• Phlebotomy skills and proficiency with MS Office required.
• Experience engaging diverse populations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support STI and HIV testing and linkage to care services.
• Document testing encounters; obtain consent and maintain records.
• Pre-screen for research projects and assess support needs.
• Engage with community members via phone or in person.
• Assist with evening and weekend outreach events.

Skills

Phlebotomy

MS Office

Education

Vocational training or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Outlook

Excel

Word

Job description

DepartmentBSD MED - Infectious Diseases - Chicago Center HIV Elimination - Testing

About the Department

The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination (CCHE) is situated within the Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago Medicine. CCHE aims to eliminate all new HIV transmission events by 2041. The University of Chicago's position on the South Side makes it uniquely situated to test, treat, and prevent new HIV infections in a highly affected population. The South Side communities and majority Black suburbs connected to them to the South represents the largest contiguous Black population in the United States. By using our integrated HIV transmission elimination approaches, we are beginning to make new infections in these communities less frequent.

Job Summary

The Linkage to Care (LTC) Coordinator will specialize in Black gender and sexually diverse populations and services as it relates to STIs, HIV and general wellness and services. The candidate will be responsible for conducting STI and HIV testing and linkage to care services and will hold a caseload that is assigned through internal referrals from our testing and research projects. This candidate will be responsible for managing retention in care for their caseload and following the fidelity monitoring protocols in data collection and documentation. They are expected to actively pursue required knowledge and skills for professional development, stay informed about the resources available on the south side of Chicago that serve our population, and inform the team about opportunities for collaboration. This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities

• Support drop in and outreach-based STI and HIV testing services, including phlebotomy; HIV notification, linkage to care services for treatment and PrEP services, and STI treatment notification and linkage to care.
• Properly document all testing encounters; this includes: consent for testing, releases of information, screening for 'risk factors,' HIV pre and post-test counseling.
• Pre-screen individuals for research projects that are connected to a testing encounter as well as pre-screen for supportive service needs that clients may have.
• Support outreach projects, ballroom-focused outreach projects, and club-focused outreach projects.
• Calling community members and conducting resource counseling, completing all related documentation and notes, and researching appropriate and individualized resources for community members, specifically resources for people of color and those who identify as LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer) and TGNC (transgender and gender non-conforming).
• Work with community members over the phone or in person.
• Assist with day to day Supportive Services tasks, such as rapid response support for those who are seeking same-day treatment and will conduct assessments and safety plans for community members in distress.
• Provide tailored linkage and retention in care services to clients tested at the Village and through outreach events.
• Support for evenings and weekend events where supportive services is requested.
• Assists with and performs various administrative and operational tasks as assigned under direct supervision.
• Supports quality assurance reviews conducted by study sponsors, federal agencies, or specially designated review groups.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications:---

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience: Experience working with and/or providing care to LGBT populations, Black and Latino community members.
• Experience: Experience with HIV/STI treatment and/or prevention.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Perform phlebotomy or a willingness to be trained in phlebotomy.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated effective leadership and teaching skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge of program subject matter.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility.
• Creativity.
• Manage stressful situations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical skills.
• Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research.

Working Conditions

Direct patient or community member contact. Exposure to human blood, human blood components, and/or products made from human blood. Exposure to infectious material. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required) Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job FamilyResearchRole ImpactIndividual ContributorScheduled Weekly Hours40Drug Test RequiredNoHealth Screen RequiredNoMotor Vehicle Record Inquiry RequiredNoPay Rate TypeHourlyPay Range$19.23 - $24.04The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.Benefits EligibleYesThe University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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