Prevention Navigator (MAI-ATL)

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be responsible for providing comprehensive support services to individuals at high risk of HIV/AIDS, substance use disorders, and related health issues. The Prevention Navigator will work to enhance the overall well-being and health outcomes of the clients through education, outreach, and connection to critical health services.

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensures program participants receive all appropriate services, and that provided services are aligned with WestCare standards.
• Coordinates services provided by ancillary agencies and participated in treatment planning and reviews with the program’s team. 
• Consults with each program participant to obtain and clarify treatment plans and goals.
• Conducts community-based outreach activities. Provides HIV and Hepatitis testing, counseling, and linkage as required.  Develops individualized Risk Reduction Prevention Plans in collaboration with program participants and other WestCare staff.
• Utilizes evidence-based practice to provide HIV risk reduction counseling to program participants.
• Participates in the development and implementation of environmental strategies; Documents all services delivered in a manner that aligns with WestCare policies and procedures, as well as Federal, State, and accreditation standards.
• Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• Performs any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Not applicable for this position.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred not required.

Experience and Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, particularly those at high risk for HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, substance use disorder treatment, and related health services.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with clients.  Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with electronic health record (HER) systems preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or in a Residential/Outpatient treatment setting.
• Travel throughout and around the community and outreach is required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

• The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). 
• Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.
• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. 
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.