Community Health Specialist

Purpose: As a member of the Harm Reduction Services team, provide comprehensive risk reduction and syringe access services to program participants (within the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region) to improve the health of people who use drugs.  Provide additional client-centered services including opioid overdose prevention training; HIV/HCV/STI education, point of care testing and risk reduction services; and linkage/navigation services to health care and other community-based services.  The Community Health Specialist will work to build relationships, solve problems, locate resources, and promote the independence, health and wellbeing of clients.

Key Job Responsibility Areas 

1. Harm Reduction & Syringe Service Operations
2. Outreach & Engagement Services
3. Service Navigation & Care Coordination
4. Administrative 
5. Community Networking
6. Miscellaneous

Detail of Key Job Responsibility Areas 

1. Harm Reduction and Syringe Service Operations
   1. Maintain clear professional boundaries to support the limits and possibilities of services
   2. Engage in respectful communication supportive of program participants’ right to self-determination
   3. Participate in the daily operations of fixed location Syringe Services Program, including, but not limited to:
      1. Ensure that drop-in services occur in a non-judgmental and safe space
      2. Perform evidence-based assessments and use evidenced-based practices to support people who use drugs who do not have an immediate goal of abstinence
      3. Conduct new enrollment conversations with individuals interested in services
      4. Educate individuals about harm reduction techniques, supplies and services available to them
      5. Provide harm and risk reduction strategy counseling services
      6. Conduct 1:1 syringe service encounters with program participants
   4. Provide special arrangement services and supply deliveries to program participants, as scheduled
   5. Ensure the appropriate disposal of all used syringes as per Trillium Health and Program Policies and Procedures
   6. Upon successful completion of Community Prevention Services New Tester Training, provide back-up, relief or outreach coverage for HIV/HCV and STI screening and testing services, according to organization and funder protocols
      1. Discuss strategies for risk reduction and assist client in creating a practical risk reduction strategy that is client-centered; provide condoms and other risk reduction supplies to clients as indicated or requested
      2. Connect clients to Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and initiate connection to Rapid Start ART (treatment) for newly diagnosed HIV individuals, as indicated
   7. Participate in the preparation of supplies to ensure adequate service delivery (including unloading large deliveries of supplies, stocking and storage of supplies, maintenance of supply inventory per program protocol) 
   8. Document and enter all service data, in an accurate and timely fashion, as required by program, Trillium Health and funder(s)

1. Outreach & Engagment Services
   1. Upon successful completion of required training, conduct outreach and engagement in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region with the principal purpose of identifying individuals at risk of unintentional death and/or HIV/HCV/STI infection and linking them to services
   2. Operate assigned vehicles, including the outreach mobile unit, as needed
   3. Communicate appropriately and professionally with residents, law enforcement and other community stakeholders
   4. Ensure Harm Reduction education/overdose prevention, PrEP/PEP and HIV, HCV, and STI prevention are integrated into outreach programs
   5. Distribute current and appropriate educational and service materials at outreach events, and during one-on-one encounters with individuals
   6. Serve as an ambassador of all services of Trillium Health and The MOCHA Center during community-based outreach and/or testing events.

1. Service Navigation & Care Coordination 
   1. Screen and/or assess clients for any social determinants of health or other barriers
      1. In collaboration with clients, determine an appropriate client-centered plan of care and facilitate coordination of that plan
      2. Care coordination may include the following:
         1. Facilitate linkage to Trillium Health (or other provider) for primary and/or specialty care, including HIV/HCV/MOUD treatment
         2. Facilitate linkage to Trillium Health (or other provider) for Mental Health Counseling services
         3. Work within HMIS (Housing Management Information System) to facilitate housing access for participants
         4. Work with local Department of Social Services to assist participants navigation through the system to gain access to entitlements and benefits
         5. Maintain Marketplace Navigator status to verify participants’ health insurance status and/or coordinate the access of health insurance for those individuals 
         6. Maintain contact and follow-up with each client and service provider (via secured releases) throughout the evolution of the plan of care.
      3. Update plan of care as necessary in the EMR and in AIRS as required

1. Administrative 
   1. Attend team, department, division and organizational meetings as required
   2. Actively participate in routine supervision meetings
   3. Compile and report program and service data in electronic database(s) and/or electronic medical record
   4. Maintain and protect sensitive information and use/share data in compliance with Trillium Health, New York State and funder policies and procedures
   5. Participate in training and continuing education initiatives to build understanding of evolving treatment and service delivery issues
   6. Navigate Microsoft Office products and other electronic platforms for communication and documentation
   7. Work with the interdisciplinary health care team across the organization (or with external organizations as needed) to facilitate care and keep patients and clients engaged
   8. Actively participate in quality improvement initiatives
   9. Demonstrate positive communication and teamwork within all areas and departments

1.  Community Networking
   1. Represent Trillium Health at community events as needed
   2. Participate and provide Trillium Health representation on relevant coalitions, committees, networks, etc.

1. Miscellaneous
   1. Maintain a compassionate, positive, and respectful attitude towards people who use drugs
   2. Requires the ability and commitment to respect and support inclusiveness and diversity including but not limited to individuals of different backgrounds, cultures, races, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, experiences, opinions, etc.
   3. Requires individual demonstration of commitment to the One Trillium values, behaviors and business impacts and modeling them in the organization.
   4. Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all patient, client, employee, protected, and proprietary information.
   5. Employees are accountable for meeting the performance standards of their departments and must participate as requested in compliance audits, process improvement, and quality improvement plans. 
   6. Other specific duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Must meet one of the following requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in Harm Reduction Services, Health Education, Health and Human Services, or a related relevant field
• Associate’s degree in Health Education, Health and Human Services, or related field and 2 years of related experience (as described above)
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Education, Health and Human Services, or related field and experience working with underserved populations, including people who use drugs 

Required:

• Understanding and commitment to harm reduction theory and practice

Desired:

• Bilingual in Spanish and/or ASL desired.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.  Occasionally the employee must stoop, bend and lift or move up to 25 lbs.  Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  

In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position.