Health Educator/ Infectious Disease Tester-VP

Job Title: Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester

Department: One Argus Testing Department

Reports To: VP of Care Coordination Services/VP of Prevention Services

Location: Argus Headquarters

Job Summary:

The Health Educator/Infectious Disease Tester works within multiple Argus Community and affiliate testing programs to increase the availability of HIV/HCV/STI testing, make counseling and testing available on and off-site, providing testing to all participants so they can

learn their status, and refer those who test positive to a medical care facility.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Upholds and adheres to the Argus Community Policy and Procedures Manual

Reports to the Vice President of Care Coordination Services and Vice President of Prevention Services.

Conducts field and agency screening activities to identify those whose HIV/HCV/STI status is unknown to them.

Uses culturally sensitive best practices to increase the availability and offering of rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing.

Ensures Pre-test and post-test counseling sessions and testing are to be delivered in a confidential manner, although pre-test counseling is not a pre-requisite to testing.

Properly label, handle, and transport specimens following departmental policies, sort specimens received and process specimens for delivery to laboratory departments.

Complete partner services and NYS provider report form on all new HIV/STI diagnoses to health department and partner with field services unit on contact tracing related matters.

Provides HIV/HCV/STI awareness/education sessions including but not limited to HIV/HCV/STI prevention, risk reduction, PEP and PrEP.

Ensures that individuals who test positive are successfully linked to medical care including confirming kept initial appointments while maintaining compliance with confidentiality regulations including 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA.

Ensures referrals are made for those who test positive to supportive services including but not limited to mental health care, Health Home or Ryan White care management/care coordination, entitlements services, syringe exchange programs, NYC DOHMH partner notification services, and peer support programs.

Maintains client case records that delineate involvement in the service and are maintained in accordance with applicable state and federal confidentiality laws.

Assists with program data entry, including supporting documentation for required funder reporting.

Completes appropriate documentation of counseling and educational sessions.

Maintains organized filing system, and submits all paperwork and documentation to program staff by designated deadline.

Assists with health education and workshop event planning.

Attends all required staff meetings and trainings.

Responsible for all other duties or assignments given by the VP of Care Coordination, VP of Prevention Services, CSO and CEO.

Qualifications/Criteria:

2+ years of Health Educator or comparable experience

Experience as a communicable disease Pre-test/Post-test Counselor and Tester. Certification preferred

Experience facilitating group education workshops and providing one-on-one health counseling, support and information

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Ability to travel to identified testing sites

Flexibility with work schedule. Able to work nights and occasional weekends

Basic Microsoft Office skills

Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Education:

Minimum High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and/or fingerprinting (department-dependent), which will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment in adherence to NYC Fair Chance Act guidelines.