Community Health Worker

Community Health Worker (CHW)

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community-informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment, with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and those impacted by HIV. THA's programs include Kind Clinic's & Waterloo Counseling Center.

Texas Health Action is seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW) to serve our Kind Clinic locations in Austin, TX. The CHW will work across clinic and program departments to directly assist individuals with linkage and retention efforts for primary HIV medical care, including those newly diagnosed, recently incarcerated, and / or out-of-care persons living with HIV (PLWH). The CHW will also assist with retention in care efforts for clients receiving biomedical interventions to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV, such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). This is a full-time, non-exempt position based out of our Kind Clinic locations, as well as in the community.

To be successful as a CHW, the applicant should be able to assess the eligibility of candidates for specific programs, make recommendations, and maintain meticulous records. An outstanding candidate will demonstrate exceptional communication skills and have a high standard of accuracy.

Core Functions :

• Perform Ryan White early intervention program duties such as gathering and completing eligibility paperwork, progress notes, conducting acuity and comprehensive assessments, care planning, and scheduling and attending HIV primary care medical visits at client's medical provider of choice.
• Conduct health literacy assessments, relay HIV and sexual health education, and provide health literacy and medication adherence counseling.
• Implement innovative strategies to reach out-of-care individuals who are not currently accessing HIV prevention and care services and collaborate with partner organizations to locate PLWH who are out-of-care and successfully relinking them to care.
• Deliver HIV and STI testing and harm reduction counseling by utilizing evidence-based interventions and approved testing technology; Some home visits may be required to perform phlebotomy functions.
• Conduct community outreach with specific intentions to connect with hard-to-reach populations, including but not limited to, individuals experiencing homelessness and / or who were recently released from incarceration.
• Contribute and assist in meeting agency and grant guidelines and outcomes as established by the Director of Community Health.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss difficult client cases and strategize for best practice interventions to support clients in their health outcomes.
• Collaborate with Kind Clinic staff from various departments to provide seamless systems of care for clients. This role is highly collaborative.
• Maintains a system of confidentiality according to the clinic's policies and procedures and HIPAA compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.