LINKAGE TO CARE SPECIALIST-FOCUS

Centro San Vicente is dedicated to improving access to essential healthcare for individuals recently diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis. We are seeking a passionate Linkage to Care Specialist to join our Specialty Clinics and primary health care team.

Role Overview: As a Linkage to Care Specialist FOCUS, you will:

• Connect individuals recently diagnosed with HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis to medical care.
• Assist providers and nurses with the STI Express Clinic, HIV PrEP clinic, and nPEP services.
• Educate and facilitate care coordination and follow-up interventions in a safe and empowering manner.
• Collect, manage, and report data, including patient surveys, and collaborate with the local Health Department.
• Engage in outreach activities, brief interventions, and graduated disengagement to ensure access to necessary care and support services.
• Promote routine screening for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis as a standard of care.
• Educate health center staff and patients on the importance of testing to change public perceptions and encourage testing and treatment.

Impact: Through these collaborative efforts, you will ensure that newly diagnosed individuals receive the support and resources they need.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of those we serve!

Job Summary:

As a member of the Centro San Vicente’s Specialty Clinics and primary health care team, the Linkage to Care Specialist will focus on linking people recently diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C, and Syphilis to medical care. The Linkage to Care Specialist will assist the rendering provider and supervising nurse with the STI Express Clinic, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) clinic, and non-occupational HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (nPEP) services, while educating and facilitating care coordination and follow-up interventions in a safe and empowering manner. The Linkage to Care Specialist will assist in data collection, management and reporting such as patient surveys, and collaborating with the local Health Department. At the same time, the Linkage to Care Specialist will engage in in/outreach activities, brief intervention sessions, and graduated disengagement to ensure those newly diagnosed have access to necessary care and support services. This role promotes routine screening for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis as a standard of care at Centro San Vicente, aiming to reduce the number of undiagnosed individuals and late diagnoses. Additionally, the Linkage to Care Specialist will educate health center staff and the patient population on the importance of testing to change public perceptions that may hinder individuals from seeking testing and treatment. Through these collaborative efforts, this position will ensure that newly diagnosed individuals receive the support and resources they need.

_ Essential Functions:_

· Perform patient intake surveys, including collecting vital signs and determining the purpose of the visit, in accordance with clinic procedures.

· Assist nursing staff in treatment services at the STI clinic based on standing protocols and CDC guidelines for STI Treatment, PrEP, nPEP, and Doxy-PEP, HIV and HCV Linkage to Care.

· Conduct appropriate population-based screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and assist in blood sample and laboratory specimen collection for assessment and diagnosis.

· Administer and record vaccinations for priority populations as part of rendering services.

· Support primary care provider staff in delivering test results and coordinating follow-up appointments, laboratory testing, treatment, and partner notification.

· Support primary care providers in scheduling Project ECHO case presentations for HCV, and submitting the appropriate medical information, as required by St. Luke’s Project ECHO.

· Provide patients and their families with education on risk factors, transmission, prevention, and treatment basics for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis.

· Participate in state health department certification training for HIV and Syphilis post-testing counseling, including required training sessions for Hepatitis C.

· Collaborate with the Nurse Supervisor, City of El Paso Department of Public Health, and case management staff, and to ensure early intervention services and linkages to specialty care for patients with specific needs.

· Facilitate the scheduling of initial medical appointments for newly diagnosed patients, providing necessary support for their linkage to care.

· Coordinate and connect patients with community resources and case management services, including referrals to behavioral health and substance abuse programs.

· Maintain and update the electronic medical health record (eMR) system to track tests, follow-ups on positive tests, immunizations, and initial laboratory tests necessary for treatment.

· Completes data report for Gilead and Project ECHO - client level, as required by Gilead FOCUS

· Participates in the data collection and management of data elements as required by Gilead. Data will be recorded in the Gilead data management system.

· Participates in Monthly Estimates and Quarterly reporting as required by Gilead FOCUS.

· Ensure timely documentation in eMR charts, including procedures completed, immunization information, referrals, and patient telephone interactions.

· Assist in complying with Texas Department of State Health Services Communicable Disease reporting requirements.

· Participate in the Centro San Vicente Performance Improvement program, monitoring and reporting on performance indicators related to clinic operations.

· Engage in developing and implementing systematic changes to enhance patient flow for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis testing using an opt-out routine model.

· Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA policies.

· Communicate and exemplify the mission, vision, and goals of the Be Prepared Clinic and affiliated Centro San Vicente.

· May be required to cover lab duties when necessary.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of HIV, HCV, and STIs, including Syphilis, PrEP, nPEP, and treatment protocols
• A team player, able to work cohesively with others and perform related tasks effectively.
• Creative and adept at planning, prioritizing, organizing, and following through
• Highly energetic, and able to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent customer service

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Successful completion of an accredited Medical Assistant program
• BLS certification required
• Ability to obtain certification in HIV, STI, and HCV post testing counseling within prescribed training period
• Minimum of 1-2 years’ clinical experience preferred
• Phlebotomy experience required
• RMA or CMA required
• Experience with LGBTQIA community preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) required
• Proven experience in navigating healthcare system services
• Committed and enthusiastic about the Center’s mission and programs with knowledge of the LGBTQIA community and HIV service system
• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule (i.e. afternoon and late evening hours)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.61 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• El Paso, TX 79935 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• El Paso, TX 79935: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $20