Prevention Specialist

Description

Under the direction of the Clinical Program Manager, the Prevention Specialist is responsible for providing competent and confidential counseling and testing with individuals at risk for HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), where applicable. In addition, this position will provide prevention education services and outreach to individuals considered at-risk for HIV and other STIs. This position requires a high level of cultural competency in responding to the unique needs of those impacted by adverse social determinants of health, as well as those within the broader 2SLGBTSIA+ community.

The Prevention Specialist supports the Prisma Community Care mission of providing affirming and inclusive services to promote well-being and advance health equity for diverse communities and all those seeking compassionate care - especially people of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Queer individuals, and those affected by HIV.    

Essential Functions 

• Conduct confidential HIV and STI counseling, testing, and appropriate referrals to care for patients requesting no-cost testing services, in accordance with the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of HIV & Hepatitis C Services Standards of Care.  
• Collect and process testing specimens from testing encounters, to include the handling of blood, rectal, oral, and urine samples, while adhering to lab safety protocols and infection control. 
• Provide in-depth education on sexual health and wellness to patients, highlighting health services related to the prevention and treatment of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and general wellness / primary care. 
• Lead one-on-one education sessions and assessments with patients, to include referrals for internal and external services that link patients with expressed interest or need to the appropriate levels of care. 
• Introduce and champion biomedical prevention services (PrEP/nPEP/Treatment as Prevention) and general wellness visits, ensuring access to medical care and supportive services that can enhance harm reduction, behavior change, and maintenance.  
• Complete no-cost testing sessions for community members with expressed interest or need, while maintaining a productivity rate of 70% of time spent with patients in testing.  
• Provide clear, understandable, current, and accurate information to patients, community members, and volunteers. Provide prevention and harm reduction information in a way that shows respect, listening skills, empathy, and patience in a status-neutral approach. 
• Record all contacts and activities into all system databases and EMR within one (1) business day of encounter, completing and submitting all relevant information in accordance with state policy, to include documentation into appropriate databases and reporting systems, and finalizing all documentation within three (3) business days of milestone actions being completed.  
• Demonstrate culturally appropriate and culturally reactive engagements with all individuals, performing services, documenting records and referrals, as well as communicating with patients via telephone, email, and in-person. 
• Provide information and referrals for other partnering agencies that provide additional support and services to include surgical and medical needs that cannot be met by Prisma. 
• Showcase patient excellence while contacting patients to provide testing and lab results, as well as engaging with patients in relation to their care at Prisma Community Care.  
• Stay informed, engaged, and current with emerging research, trends, and best practices in the field of gender identity, intersectionality, and wellbeing of all. 
• Use a personal vehicle to transport specimens and results to and from local laboratories, as well as to community events, and complete a biweekly report for work-related mileage reimbursement. 
• Work collaboratively with other teams to further develop and evolve the needs of the department and organization, including but not limited to, policy reformation, cross-training, and identifying opportunities for growth and improvement within teams. 
• Work directly with the department leadership with other program-related tasks. 

We've got great benefits: 

• 200 hours of PTO per year 
• Up to 13 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Basic life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance paid by Prisma Community Care 
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Retirement savings

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Certification and completion of an accredited phlebotomy program or medical assisting program, with a high school diploma or equivalent. 
• Must be able to demonstrate proper venipuncture procedure and needly safety protocols in the practical interview. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and maintain effective communication with culturally diverse populations from a wide range of life circumstances and backgrounds. 
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of gender identity, gender expression, gender presentation, sex, and sexual orientation, etc. 
• Possess a valid driver’s license, insurable driving record, and access to a reliable personal vehicle for work-related activities. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) software applications and competent in using electronic medical records and information systems in providing effective documentation of patient care, with a full understanding of HIPAA and protecting patient confidentiality. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic medical terminology. 
• Be a highly organized self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task effectively and is willing to learn. 
• Ability to work in fast paced environment with changing deadlines and priorities while maintaining a positive attitude and managing stress in a proactive manner.   
• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication, exemplifying professionalism, flexibility, and compassion while exhibiting a congenial and sensitive attitude towards patients. 
• All organization employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion. 

Preferred Qualifications  

• At least one (1) year of experience performing venipuncture procedures in a clinical setting. 
•  Direct experience working in a patient care setting focusing on sexual health and providing relevant education on topics related to sexual health and wellness. 
• Demonstrated understanding of sexual health and wellness and its correlation to HIV, PrEP, PEP, and gender-affirming care. 
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.  
• Experience with eClinical Works (eCW) and MEDSIS. 

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential. 
• Travel outside of the Phoenix area approximately 10% of the time. 
• Will work primarily in a clinical environment with exposure to computer screens for lengthy periods of time and will need to handle bodily fluids and specimens.  
• This is an hourly position that may require evening and occasional weekend work. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, stand; use hands, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and may need to lift objects up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. 

Compliance Requirements

• Currently have, or be able to obtain within 90 days of employment, a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card. 
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 30 days of employment, a clear TB test.
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 30 days of employment, a current flu vaccination.
• Currently have, or are able to initiate within 30 days of employment, a Hepatitis-B primary vaccination series. 
• Currently have, or are able to obtain within 30 days of employment, a CPR certification.  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Prisma Community Care an equal opportunity employer, and we value a healthy work environment free from harassment and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.  

Send reasonable accommodation requests for medical or religious needs to Human Resources at hr@prismacare.org. Reasonable accommodations to allow the employee to carry out position duties will be discussed interactively with the employee based on their specific circumstances and the essential job functions of the position.