Community-Based Prevention Navigator

Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources. 

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Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org 

 
Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services. 

 
Benefits: 
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books. 

 
Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

 
This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU 

Compensation Range: $21/hr - $24/hr commensurate with experience. 
 

Overview: 

The Community Based Navigator truly “meets clients where they are” by providing prevention services outside of the health centers and in the community. The Community-Based Prevention Navigator participates in community engagement work across New York City independently and in collaboration with other Housing Works programming. Removing barriers to care, the priority is to connect clients to real-time prevention clinical services and establishing connections to the array of other Housing Works services as needed.

The Community-Based Prevention Navigator is a key position in a cross-functional team of clinical and non-clinical staff—including the medical provider, nurse coordinator, medical case manager, outreach and peer engagement staff, social workers (substance use treatment and mental health care), Youth and Prevention Services, and more—the Navigator is responsible for identifying and engaging individuals who seek HIV testing, HIV prevention, and/or related services. They lead clients through the process of assessment, care planning, HIV/STI testing, and treatment as appropriate.

Responsibilities: 

Clinical Support Activities

• Provide culturally competent education on HIV prevention and treatment options and related available social services
• Participation in community events, such as health fairs, LGBT events, testing events, etc. 
• Provides presentations for internal and external programs to promote the program services 
• Assist with the planning and implementation of events to increase client engagement  
• Facilitate access to HIV prevention clinical services, with an emphasis on immediate/same-day care
• Perform a series of assessments, including sexual history, mental health, substance abuse, and social determinants of health, and refer to appropriate supportive services 
• Performs HIV, Hep C, and STI rapid testing; deliver results with sensitivity and ensure clients move seamlessly through all next steps
• Ensure clients meet with any other service providers requested (preferably same-day), including by supporting clients in the use of the telehealth
• Works in collaboration with the other departments (e.g., Health Home, Youth and Prevention Services, OASAS Substance Use Treatment, OMH Mental Health Care, Community Partnerships) to provide prevention education, encourage adherence to treatment, and complete referrals for other services
• Performs outreach in the form of appointment reminders, no show follow-up calls, and prescription updates
• Completes applications and collects and submits documentations as needed for medication Patient Assistance Programs
• Adheres to privacy and information security requirements (HIPAA) and other regulations.
• Documentation of client interaction via required program documents and progress notes, with the required timeframe, via the electronic health record(s).
• Uses culturally competent, sex-positive, non-stigmatizing language to discuss client history and care needs

Administrative Support Activities:

• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of patient activities including coordination of referrals for rapid HIV/STI testing and treatment, identification of eligible patients, and timely enrollment of patients in the treatment support and prevention programs.
• Tracks inter and intra-departmental enrollments, patient progress, and disenrollment, reporting data to funders and quality committees, as requested.
• Attends monthly quality improvement meetings and participates in initiatives as designed by the care team or assigned by the Medical Director
• Performs functions, duties and/or services in compliance with regulatory agencies, contractual obligations and funding source requirements
• Participate in Housing Works advocacy events (minimum 4 per year)

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a health field or equivalent in experience preferred

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team, in collaborative settings, required
• Ability to work in a community setting 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Understands and is committed to maintaining highest level of confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to build the trust and respect of patients, staff, colleagues, external contacts, and other Housing Works members
• Sensitivity to needs of culturally and linguistically diverse patient and employee population
• Commitment to the harm reduction philosophy
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed the Service Excellence Standards of Housing Works.
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends, as needed
• Demonstrated ability to utilize computer technology and to willingness to develop and adapt to the evolving technological requirements of modern medical health center practices required

Competencies: 

• Computer Literacy
• Interpersonal Skills
• Knowledge of HIV, mental illness, substance use, homelessness and other chronic conditions
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) 
• Full-time in-person position