Reporting to the Sexual Health Program Coordinator, the Health Navigator provides outreach, risk-reduction counseling and HIV/Hepatitis C/STI screening services and linkage to care services with a focus gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender nonconforming populations and people who inject drugs (PWID). The Health Navigator provides follow-up counseling and supported referrals for clients who are HIV-positive and those who are at high-risk of infection to PrEP and other HIV preventative services. The Health Navigator is pro-active in designing and implementing community outreach initiatives to find and assist community members in need of services.

Primary Responsibilities:

Provide Direct Services

• Discuss basic HIV prevention information and the importance of accessing care with Men who have sex with men, Transgender and Gender non-conforming people.
• Screen and triage callers and walk-in clients by assessing risk for HIV, STI and viral hepatitis exposure
• Provide counseling before and after testing/treatment session to those seeking HIV/STI screening, in-house treatment, or referrals to PrEP/nPEP and other services
• Implement PrEP navigation services that are culturally competent for HIV negative clients, with specific focus on men who have sex with men (MSM) transgender, and gender non-conforming people.
• Provide extended or multi-session counseling sessions for high-risk HIV-negative clients when appropriate.
• Conduct serum testing for HIV, HCV and syphilis, performing phlebotomy
• Perform Health Navigation, making supported referrals, to address the full spectrum of client needs

Participate in the Planning and Implementation of New Initiatives

• Participate in program planning through interdisciplinary team meetings to design and implement community outreach initiatives and screening events to reach members of at-risk communities
• Collaborate with clinical providers to coordinate culturally competent referrals;
• Attend continuing education seminars, staff in-services and stay abreast of relevant literature to maintain familiarity with trends in prevention services.
• Assist in drafting/editing program materials.
• Make connections and build referral relationships with Fenway Health providers and community organizations that serve the target populations

Perform related duties as required

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years relevant work experience. *A Bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience may substitute for the minimum work experience requirement.
• Willingness and ability to learn and perform phlebotomy. (Prior competence is preferred but not required.)
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and communities at risk for HIV – especially Men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as people who inject drugs (PWID).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize assigned duties, and keep written records all while meeting department deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and in small groups
• Strong interest in LGBTQIA+ health
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
• Willingness to contribute towards Fenway’s efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experiencing managing clinically and emotionally challenging situations with utmost professionalism, care and discretion.
• Experience providing HIV or substance use education
• Experience working in an ethnically culturally and racially diverse environment
• Experience with the EMR, EPIC.
• Fluency in a non-English language

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Sit at a computer station for extended periods.
• Ability to keyboard for extended periods.
• Requires handling average-weight objects up to 15-20 pounds, and occasionally assisting patients.
• May work with blood or blood-borne pathogens and may require OSHA training.
• Ability to travel to community events and venues, including bars and nightclubs, to perform outreach activities.

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.