FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Job Role Summary

The HIV Health Education Coordinator position exists to assess the health education needs of patients, their barriers to learning (e.g., readiness, cognitive, cultural, physical, and emotional) and provide direct education to patients, partners, and families of persons living with HIV (PLWH) and those at risk for HIV acquisition. Education may be provided in individual or group sessions. This position will also maintain printed/electronic educational materials, provide medication adherence counseling and referral to community resources. Additionally, this position will work in collaboration with IDC’s Linkage/Retention Specialist to increase access to HIV care and treatment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Coordinates all HIV health education activities for the Infectious Diseases Clinic (IDC).
• Assesses educational needs and health literacy level of all PLWH taking into consideration the social determinates of health. Assessment and plan to address educational needs to be documented and shared with HIV Care Team.
• Enrolls all patients followed at the IDC for HIV care or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Epic MyChart and teaches patient how to use it to access care.
• Coordinates (develops, implements, and maintains) a wide range of culturally appropriate educational materials designed to meet the needs of persons at risk for HIV acquisition and PLWH in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Provides individual and group level educational interventions to persons at risk for HIV acquisition who are considering or who have started PrEP for HIV. Education to include the importance of regular medical visits, completing all laboratory orders, medication adherence, and evidenced informed strategies to reduce exposure to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) based on needs identified in assessment.
• Provides individual and group level educational interventions to PLWH. Education to include the importance of early entry into medical care, regular on-going medical visits, on-going laboratory needs, how HIV medication works, importance of medication adherence, harm reduction strategies, STI education, importance of follow through with specialty/other medical referrals, appointments, issues related to disclosure of HIV status, and treatment plans based on needs identified in assessment.
• Provides individual and group level educational interventions on navigating health care systems. Education to include how to request medication refills, who to call to schedule or reschedule an appointment, who to call if you are sick, what to do if you are having a reaction to a medication, or what happens if you need medical help on a weekend.
• Supplements educational efforts of Non-Medical Case Managers by providing individual and group level educational interventions on understanding Ryan White benefits. Education to vision benefits, dental benefits, legal aid benefits, emergency food benefits, medical transportation, the Health Insurance Assistance Program (HIAP), the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), the Early Intervention Services (EIS) program and the importance of not allowing benefits to lapse.
• Supplements educational efforts of Medical Case Managers by providing individual and group level educational interventions on how to access healthcare advice about medication issues, empowering patients to understand their treatment regimen and its benefits and educating patients on how to access treatment at low or no cost.
• Serves as a resource to patients seeking information, referrals and/or support.
• Documents all patient encounters in a timely manner.
• Participates in weekly clinic huddles designed to coordinate care.
• Collaborates with all IDC staff to ensure that PLWH and those on PrEP are engaged and retained in medical care.
• Completes all reporting requirements as required by funding source in timely fashion, attends required grant meetings and participates in site visits as requested.
• Participates in internal/external training on topics related to HIV field aimed at maintaining or increasing expertise.
• Contributes to Continuous Quality Management (CQM) by attending meetings and supporting initiatives.
• Participates in HIV fundraising, advocacy and other events as requested.

Job Requirements

• BS in health education, nursing, social work, or public health.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in health education, public health, management or critical care nursing, social work and/or HIV care preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work under pressure and make quick, responsible, and safe decisions.
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in crisis situations and in working with challenging customers.
• Skilled at working with diverse populations including LGBTQ, African American, Latino, low-income, or other disenfranchised populations.
• Knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, PrEP/PEP, and STIs preferred.
• Ability to comfortably instruct on safer sex practices, provide HIV education, and discuss sexual health.
• Ability to alter interventions and behaviors to reflect and ensure adequate service appropriate to the age and development stage of patients served.