Position Purpose

This Prevention Specialist is responsible for providing confidential counseling and testing with high-risk individuals for HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), where applicable. In addition, this position will provide prevention education services and outreach to individuals in communities of men who have sex with men of color (MSMOC), and those engaging in high-risk behaviors such as people who inject drugs (PWID).

 

Scope of Responsibilities

The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) is one of the nation’s largest providers of HIV prevention, care and treatment services with a budget approaching $120 million and employing nearly 300 professionals. Our organization also includes both St. Louis Effort for AIDS (EFA) and Denver’s Rocky Mountain CARES (RMC).
 
The unique, nationally recognized ARCW HIV Medical Home model of care assures that everyone with HIV has access to medical, dental, mental health and social services and provides the best opportunity for patients to achieve high quality health outcomes.  ARCW also provides aggressive HIV prevention services to gay men, injection drug users and others at the highest risk for HIV infection. 
 
ARCW operates in the states of WI, CO and MO. It embraces a Market Culture to increase access to care, enhance quality outcomes and achieve and surpass financial performance expectations and has an aggressive plan to expand into additional states.

 

Position Responsibilities 

  1. Conduct confidential HIV, HCV, Syphilis and STI testing (where applicable) counseling, testing and referral (CTR), in accordance with state guidelines, with individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors.
  2. Establish and implement CTR sites targeting MSM of color and those at high risk.
  3. Document all contacts and activities in the appropriate databases in a timely manner.
  4. Complete and submit all testing information in accordance with city/state policy (e.g., completion of appropriate testing forms, entering tests into web-based reporting system).
  5. Distribute approved education materials, safer sex materials and safer injection supplies to persons engaging in high-risk behaviors.
  6. Conduct one-on-one educational sessions and assessments with clients, to include referrals for internal and external services (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment, behavioral interventions).
  7. Perform regular outreach to bars, beauty/barber shops, treatment and recovery centers, and other venues frequented by men who have sex with men of color (MSMOC) and others at high risk to distribute condoms and educational materials, provide educational programming, provide CTR, and engage in conversations about HIV and other health-related topics.
  8. Actively plan and participate in community events, such as Gay Pride, that offer the ability to provide effective prevention outreach to men who have sex with men of color (MSMOC) and others at high risk.
  9. Provide service delivery statistics on a monthly basis and develop public and private grant reports as required.
  10. Network with Prevention Specialists located in other ARCW offices, other community-based organizations and providers to develop effective prevention strategies targeted to people of color and others at high risk.
  11. Attend all meetings and trainings as assigned by the Director and/or EFA/ARCW leadership.
  12. Serve as a member of EFA/ARCW staff offering an array of services (e.g., CTR, condom distribution, assisting case management clients, providing food pantry services) in one or many locations (e.g., another ARCW location, satellite site).
  13. Participate in daily activities and functions that help maintain overall EFA/ARCW operations, as well as Prevention Services.
  14. Regularly report to the Director on all activities through biweekly personal management interviews (PMI).
  15. Implement special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Valid state driver’s license.
  • Has an insurable driving record.
  • Access to a reliable insured vehicle.
  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Pre-employment TB test & annual TB test (required by all employees).
  • Annual influenza vaccination (required by all employees).
  • Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
  • Ability to type along with a working knowledge of the following software/systems: word processing, spreadsheet, Windows Operating System, internet.
  • Understanding of and sensitivity to HIV/AIDS, PrEP, and alcohol and other drug (AODA) issues.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills and a strong comfort level in discussing issues of sexuality, orientation, gender and sex.
  • Ability to complete work assignments with minimal supervision, thoroughness and efficiency.
  • Demonstrated cultural competency including the ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Dependability and punctuality.
  • Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.