Care Technician - Grant Funded Role ending 9/2027

Position Overview:

To promote and support access to HIV Services by: performing rapid HIV point of care (POC) testing to patients at the Center, perform case finding, facilitate and refer patients for initiation of Immediate Anti-Retroviral Therapy (IART), facilitate linkage to care for newly diagnosed individuals, and referring individuals for PrEP/PEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis/Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Ryan Health.

Essential Functions:

- Conduct POC HIV Testing utilizing all available methods, including Inverness Medical ClearView Rapid HIV- ½ Antibody Testing, OraSure and OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid Testing .

- Conduct Linkage to Care for individuals who test HIV Positive.

- Conduct linkage to Care for individuals who need to be connected for PrEP/PEP Services.

- Coordinate Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) services by tracking enrolled patients, scheduling injection appointments, and communicating with pharmacies and insurance providers to support timely access to and availability of LAI medications.

- Conduct promotion and patient recruitment for Ryans HIV services, in collaboration with the Networks Prevention, Education, and Outreach (PEO) team.

- Educate community members and patients about the Centers HIV and PrEP/PEP services.

- Develop linkages between health care and mental health providers, drug treatment programs, local social service agencies, and other resources to assure continuity of care of patients.

- Provide navigation services to link Ryans HIV patients to Primary Care, Medication Adherence, and other services, as appropriate.

- Identify, facilitate contact, conduct in-reach, and provide HIV coordination to patients who are in need, education motivational interviewing, and patient and provider reminders.

- Advocate on patients behalf to ensure patients receiving HIV support services are connected to all relevant and available entitlements, including enrollment in insurance assistance programs (e.g., ADAP).

- Practice accepted infection measures in accordance with OHSA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.

- Provide crisis intervention and referrals to emergency services.

- Refer patients with overt psychiatric problems to psychiatric practitioners.

- Collaborate and consult with team and other service providers in identifying service gaps and care planning, disposition and closure.

- Conduct evenings, nights and weekends community outreach to increase caseload.

- Complete all required documentation on a timely basis including progress notes, medical records forms, Medical Provider HIV/AIDS and Partner/Contact Report Form (PRF) within 14 days of the patients diagnosis and any other required documentation.

- Attend required meetings, case conference and supervision, as assigned.

- Assist in the provision of presentations to Ryan staff about HIV and PrEP as assigned.

- Attend professional conferences, in-service seminars and meetings, as assigned.

- Immediately report any problems/unusual occurrences to supervisor.

- Perform other duties assigned.

Qualifications

Education, Licenses and/or Certification Required and Skills:

- High school diploma or equivalent

- HIV Counseling and Testing certification

- NYS Drivers License

Preferred Qualifications:

- BSW or BA in Health or Human Services

- Bilingual English/Spanish. French Creole

- Medicaid/CHIP/managed care experience

- Certification in EBIs preferred

Competencies Required:

Customer Service:

- Professional, courteous, and respectful attitude in dealing with patients

- Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (if applicable)

- Commits to exceeding expectations of the patient

Cooperation/Teamwork

- Works well with others

- Contributes input to improve outcomes

- Asks others for opinions and feedback, provides feedback in a tactful & respectful way

Minimal Training Time:

- 90 days introductory period.

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk and hear.

The employee is occasionally required to move about the office; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate office equipment.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed primarily in a clinical ambulatory setting. The noise level in the work environment may vary. Field visits and outreach are also performed at homes, hospitals or other services agencies.

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ryan Health is an Equal Opportunity and does not discriminate because of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.