Comprehensive HIV Services Specialist - Damien Center

Comprehensive HIV Services Specialist

Part-time, temporary, grant funded, 1 year assignment

 Damien Center – CAFÉ Location

The Damien Center empowers communities and persons affected by HIV/AIDS in the state of Indiana by being a leading resource, provider, and advocate for comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, prevention, education, and related services. Damien Center, Damien Cares and Damien Pharmacy provide client-centered social services focused on care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition to the Indianapolis community.

Position Summary:

The Comprehensive HIV Services Specialist is a dynamic and multifaceted role at the Damien Center, dedicated to providing comprehensive HIV care, prevention, and education services across diverse communities in Indiana. This position is focused on serving the specific needs of the Haitian population on the far East Side of Indianapolis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

Community Outreach and Education:

• Conduct outreach in the Eastside Haitian community and other high-risk populations.
• Deliver culturally competent HIV prevention education and awareness programs.
• Organize and participate in local events and workshops to promote HIV testing, PREP and other prevention services.
• Develop and implement targeted outreach strategies to engage the Haitian and Latino communities, as well as other high-risk groups, in HIV awareness and prevention.
• Create and distribute multilingual educational materials tailored to address diverse communities' specific cultural and linguistic needs.
• Organize and lead educational workshops, seminars, and support groups focusing on HIV prevention, sexual health, and stigma reduction.
• Participate in community events and health fairs, acting as a liaison between the Damien Center and the community to promote services and foster trust.

HIV/STD Testing and Counseling:

• Conduct HIV/STD testing and ensure accurate documentation and follow-up.
• Educate clients on prevention, PrEP adoption, and harm reduction strategies.
• Conduct confidential and culturally sensitive HIV/STD testing in various settings, including community centers, health clinics, and possibly mobile units.
• Will be required to complete HIV/STD testing during non-traditional hours and taboo locations such as church, swing/social clubs, etc.
• Provide empathetic and informative pre-test and post-test counseling to individuals and groups, addressing concerns and questions about HIV/STDs.
• Coordinate referrals and linkage to care for clients who test positive with healthcare providers for HIV/STIs.

Case Management and Care Coordination:

• Connect clients to health and social services, including health insurance enrollment.
• Conduct home visits and ensure continuity of care for clients.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients' medical, psychological, social, and financial needs.
• Develop individualized care plans, coordinating with various service providers to ensure a holistic approach to client well-being.
• Advocate for clients to access necessary services, including medical treatment, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance.
• Regularly review and update care plans based on clients' evolving needs and circumstances.

Partnership Building and Collaboration:

• Strengthen relationships with organizations serving the Haitian community.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers and emergency rooms to facilitate linkage to care.
• Engage in cross-team collaboration within the Damien Center for integrated service delivery.
• Establish partnerships with local healthcare facilities, non-profits, and community organizations to enhance service delivery and referral networks.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams within the Damien Center, contributing to developing integrated care models.
• Engage in continuous learning and training to stay updated on the latest developments in HIV treatment and prevention.
• Share expertise and knowledge with colleagues to foster a collaborative and informed work environment.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in public health, social work or related field preferred, but not required.  Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required. Fluency in Haitian Creole and English required. Experience and knowledge with HIV care, prevention education and harm reduction strategies preferred. Experience with HIV testing, counseling and community outreach preferred. Ability to work some evenings and weekends required.

*Work experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Maintains personal/professional competency and works to create an environment of courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

• FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Hourly, Part-time, Temporary          
• Leader: Services and Operations Manager - Cafe
• Salary: $21.79 per hour

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply at www.damien.org/job-opportunities

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment.  Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.