HIV Treatment and Health Educator (bilingual)
The Mission Neighborhood Health Center (MNHC) is a non-profit, multi-site community health organization offering comprehensive health services in the Mission and Excelsior Districts of San Francisco. The center offers primary health care services, adult medicine, pediatrics, family planning, OB/GYN, HIV and homeless services.
We advocate for health equity and deliver innovative, high-quality services responsive to the neighborhoods and diverse communities we serve with a focus on the Latino Spanish-Speaking Communities.
We are currently looking for qualified candidates to join Clinica Esperanza (HIV Clinic Services Team) as a HIV Treatment and Health Educator. Please note: this role requires an applicant to be bilingual (English/Spanish). This position reports to the Social Services Supervisor and is a Regular, Full Time, Non-Exempt role with a starting hourly range of $23.52 to $25.26 with full benefits.
Primary Objective:
The HIV Treatment and Health Educator will teach and counsel patients on how to make good health decisions, incorporate healthy activities in their lives and maintain healthy behavior. As a member of Clínica Esperanza (HIV Clinic Services Team), the Treatment and Health Educator is responsible for the implementation of treatment and health education component of the HIV services program. This component focuses on education and counseling about HIV transmission, HIV disease progression and treatment options, also provides medication adherence and general health maintenance support.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities:
Health Education = Approximately 30%
- Conduct individual assessments of clients’ HIV knowledge, belief systems and health literacy capacity, as related to health, illness, and health maintenance areas including medication, diet, exercise, dental health, stress, substance use, and sexual behaviors.
- Develop health maintenance or improvement plans and interventions on an individual as well as group level basis, determined by assessments, clients’ interest and need on HIV 101, medications and co-morbidities
- Provide education, counseling and monitoring on sculptra, hepatitis C, smoking cessation, and tuberculosis.
- Maintain updated educational materials in English and Spanish on HIV infection and disease progression, immune system, laboratory test interpretations and different aspects of HIV treatment. Develop and/or translate educational materials as needed.
Treatment Education and Adherence Support = Approximately 60%
- Educate clients on HIV treatment options and inform of risks and benefits of HIV treatment including education on side effects, and interactions with alternative treatments.
- Assess clients’ barriers to medication adherence and review medication regimens before initiating treatment and monitor medication adherence by maintaining the Medication Adherence Protocol Log and coordinating adherence discussions at the weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings.
- Counsel clients referred by multi-disciplinary team on ways to maintain and improve medication adherence supplying client with adherence tools when appropriate.
- Ensure that both client and provider concerns and issues are addressed and understood with respect to treatment decisions.
- Facilitate clients’ access to medication by enrolling them in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
Administrative = Approximately 10%
- Keep informed of new scientific developments in HIV disease and HIV treatments.
- Participate in weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings.
- Meet with pharmaceutical representatives as needed.
- Chart all assessments, interventions, and referrals in the clients’ electronic medical record.
- Update clients’ information in the AIDS Regional Information and Evaluation System (ARIES), as needed.
- Submit monthly reports, statistical data, program reports and audits as requested by supervisor.
Qualifications
- Minimum of a year of HIV-related health education experience with Associates Degree in public health or science field required or Bachelor’s Degree in public health or science preferred.
- Bilingual – Fluent in English/Spanish required.
- Ability to work professionally and ethically within multi-cultural settings, including ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons, documents, data, and communications.
- Sensitivity to HIV/AIDS and Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender issues.
- Flexibility in scheduling and evening work is required.
- Experience working with Latino population.
- As a condition of employment, all candidates are required to provide documentation of current immunizations, including COVID-19 and TB test results valid within the last two (2) years must be submitted before the start date. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a delayed start or withdrawal of the job offer.
To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at www.mnhc.org. We offer a full range of benefits which includes the following:
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance – MNHC pays 90-100% based on plan
- Dental and Vision Insurance – free to employee
- Life Insurance – free basic policy plus voluntary option
- Flexible Spending Accounts for health & dependent care expenses
- Commuter benefits for public transportation expenses
- Vacation – 2 weeks (3 weeks after 5 yrs; 4 weeks after 8 yrs)
- 12 Paid Holidays plus your birthday and 12 Sick Days each year
- 40 hours Paid Educational Leave
- 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Contribution