Lead Navigator

Who is Bridging Access to Care, Inc.: Bridging Access To Care, Inc. (BAC) is a nonprofit, multi-service, community-based behavioral health care organization committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.

Brooklyn Aids Task Force was the very first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn prioritizing serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) since 1986. In 2012, Brooklyn Aids Task Force changed its name to BAC and successfully made the transition from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service community-based healthcare organization. Today, BAC provides mental health and substance use-related social services, comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, and coordinated health care and supportive services to under-served racial and ethnic minority communities in the Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.

Bridging Access to Care, Inc. offers a competitive salary package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development.

JOB SUMMARY: Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Lead Navigator is responsible for daily coordination of the program, conducting outreach and assessments, providing prevention education and linkage and navigation services, follow-up, training at community-based organizations, and performing evaluation activities. In addition, administer evidence-based interventions via group setting on the misused of substance use and HIV.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruit providers in the community: two of which must be youth service agencies for collaboration, training, and education relating to the issue of substance misuse and HIV.
• Formalize partnerships through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with partnering agencies. Deliverable: 6 MOUs
• Conduct workshops, lunch, and learn educational presentations: to the partnering agencies to improve their understanding of needs and issues in the community related to substance abuse and HIV. Topics will include: HIV & Substance Use; STI/STD 101; PrEP/PEP 101; HCV; and HIV 101) Deliverable:12 educational presentations
• Outreach activities: Assist with outreach activities to recruit the population of focus (POF) through community outreach, health fairs, and tabling events. Attend weekly outreach and social media meetings Deliverable: Reach 200 people annually
• Develop & implement public message and awareness campaigns on the risk of substance misuse among individuals living with HIV & the importance of seeking care and treatment.
• Disseminate campaign messages via social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube) and during community events Deliverable: Reach people 4,500 annually
• Conduct two focus groups annually with the POF to gather feedback and input on potential campaign and message Deliverable: 2 focus groups
• Screening and testing the POF for HIV, STD,s & HCV
• Conducting Behavioral Risk Assessments and MSSI screening tools
• Document HIV, STD & HCV results following all procedures following DOH guidelines for specimen handling Deliverables HIV- 75 annually, STI – 75 annually HCV- 75 annually
• Navigation and referral services: Develop Action Plans to address needs identified in the behavioral risk assessment
• Assist with implementing navigation services (accompaniment, follow-up services, etc.) for newly HIV-diagnosed clients or out-of-care PLWH as well as navigation to substance misuse and other services as needed.
• Conduct detailed Behavioral Health Risk Assessment of clients’ health risk and HIV status to determine a client’s risk of acquisition of HIV and STD/HCV.
• Develop a detailed plan of action to address barriers or needs identified through the Comprehensive Behavioral Risk Assessment using motivational interviewing techniques.
• Conduct linkage and navigation activities to connect the clients to medical care, benefits/entitlements/ food services, scheduling reminders, transportation/escort to appointments, addressing food insecurity, benefits/entitlement enrollment assistance, CD4/Viral Load monitoring, etc. Deliverable: Anyone testing and anyone with a referral need.
• Assist and fill in in case of absence Deliver evidence-based interventions (EBI) programs (Contingency Management with Life Skills, Too Good for Drugs and Violence, and SPORT at youth services partnering agencies.
• Solicit feedback from POF through pre-and post-test data for EBI’s
• Perform other related duties as assigned based on program needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• MINIMUM: Two (2) years’ experiences administrating HIV and HCV testing
• MINIMUM: One (1) year experience with outreach and creating partnerships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and interpersonal skills
• Case Management assessment skills
• Certified HIV Tester and/or Hep C screening, a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office & Google Suite
• Previous experience in substance use prevention and EBI’s is a plus
• Knowledge of running campaigns is a plus
• Previous experience working with youth and community mobilizing is a plus
• Ability to withstand extended sitting, extended standing, stairs, and extended travel with or without reasonable accommodations
• Must be willing to work weekends and long/flexible hours as required by the position

EDUCATION :

• MINIMUM: High School Diploma or equivalent with three (3) years of experience with substance abuse and HIV/AIDS issues OR
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human services, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCES :

• MINIMUM: Three (3) years experience with Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS issues, including engagement and motivation and referral for testing and health care services.
• Familiar with using EHR systems (ECR preferred)

LICENSURE: A valid New York State driver’s license with a 2 year clean driving record (required)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $31.32 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 35 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Substance Abuse participant care: 3 years (Preferred)
• HIV/AIDS care: 3 years (Preferred)
• Outreach/ Recruiting: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Valid NYS Drivers license with 2 year clean driving record (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Brooklyn, NY (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Preferred)

Work Location: On the road

Salary : $31