Prevention & Sexual Health Specialist

Statement of Purpose:    The Prevention & Sexual Health Specialist is responsible for providing HIV prevention education to individuals living with HIV and to those at risk of acquiring HIV.  This position conducts: HIV & HCV testing and counseling; HIV, STI/STD, sexual health, and prevention/risk reduction education; linkage and coordination of services (navigation) to prevention and essential support services; community outreach and engagement; program promotion and recruitment; and, facilitation of individual level and group level evidenced based effective behavioral interventions. This position specializes in engaging community members, prioritizing: Racial and ethnic minority Men Who Have Sex w/ Men (MSM); all other MSM; transgender; incarcerated and recently incarcerated individuals; and, other populations at high risk that are disproportionately affected by HIV.

Primary Tasks/Responsibilities:

• Conduct HIV testing and pre/post-test counseling/education.
• Provide specialized HIV prevention education, including individualized sessions, group interventions, and educational workshops.
• Plans and implements culturally sensitive STD/Viral Hepatitis/HIV prevention/risk education programs as well as outreach activities to specified target populations following approved protocols and curriculum.
• Provide navigation services, coordinating referrals/linkages for clients. Services include but are not limited to: HIV medical care; other health & medical services; insurance navigation and application; food & nutrition resources; transportation assistance; education & vocational support; employment services; and, housing/shelter resources.
• Work collaboratively as an interdisciplinary team with medical providers, community partners, members of client’s care/treatment team, and other agency personnel.
• Coordinate, assist and participate in all client conferences, workshops and medical updates.
• Coordinate and implement all program activities as per scope of work and timeline.
• Accurate and complete documentation of client activity through case notes, assessments and other forms.
• Conduct and report process and outcome evaluation activities.
• Collect data, conduct data entry and prepare monthly program statistics and reports.
• Prepare draft progress and final reports for all programs and activities by established deadlines.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners
• Provide Outreach and Recruitment activities including but not limited to representing the program and the agency at community and committee meetings and providing educational workshops, and social marketing activities.
• Prepare and develop all approved program curriculum, materials, flyers, and all other printed materials required by the program or based on clients’ needs.
• Attend specialized training specific to HIV prevention programs’ design, implementation, and behavior change theory application.
• Distributes culturally appropriate program-wide outreach and prevention materials for target populations.
• Conduct client screenings and intakes for admission into programs.
• Recruits participants within the targeted population in order to allow for program continuation.
• Promotes client participation in treatment adherence activities.
• Identifies and characterizes the various social networks, appropriate community venues, and key peer leaders in order to assist in the implementation of program strategies that address target populations.
• Assists in assessing and evaluation of community needs and develop plans for prevention interventions.
• Maintains current and effective information regarding HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis trends in epidemiology, treatment and prevention methodologies.
• Administers pre and post-intervention surveys and other evaluation activities in a timely manner.
• Responsible for achieving monthly goals.
• Acts as a cooperative member of the METRO Prevention Sexual Health team by supporting other employees’ efforts to serve clients and the community.

Education/Professional:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the human services field and one year of relevant prevention experience.
• Minimum of one-year work experience within a social service setting or equivalent.
• Experience working with HIV infected individuals, substance abuse populations, and social, ethnic economically diverse and other high risk populations.
• Bilingual (Spanish) is preferred.

 Knowledge, Skills and Competencies Required:

• Must be able to speak, read, and write proficiently in English. Bilingual (Spanish) is an asset.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS.
• Ability to work comfortably with diverse target populations, sensitivity to cultural issues and/or relevant life experience with substance abuse, HIV, Viral Hepatitis, PrEP/nPEP, STI’s.
• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences, varying sexual orientations, and psychosocial issues concerning the AIDS pandemic.
• Must be able to understand and use word processing and basic computer software programs.
• Ability to recognize and adhere to professional boundaries and standards.
• Ability to determine priorities and multi-task.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing environment.
• Skilled in use of de-escalation techniques.
• PC Proficient (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Position will require occasional commute between St. Petersburg and Tampa locations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Some weekend and evenings hours required.

Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain valid Florida driver’s license and proof of insurance
• Must have reliable and accessible auto vehicle.
• Must pass necessary fingerprinting, Level II background checks and employment eligibility verification through the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system, https://e-verify.uscis.gov/emp.