Trans Patient Advocate

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Program Manager for the Trans Wellness Program, the Trans Patient Advocate will help develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate all approaches with TGI (transgender, gender non-binary, and intersex) patients.  The Trans Patient Advocate’s main role will be to assist TGI patients, coming into the APLA Health Centers, with their medical and gender related services.  The Transgender Patient Advocate will assist in getting new patients enrolled at APLA Health and help them navigate health services during that are available to them depending on their insurance.  The Transgender Patient Advocate may assist APLA Health patients with certain social services like name & gender change, enrolling in Cal-fresh or GR (general relief).  The Trans Patient Advocate will make regular contact/check-ins with APLA Health’s TGI patients. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Program Manager for Trans Wellness in the development and implementation of APLA Health’s services for TGI patients.
• Conduct the “Trans Need Assessments” with all new patients to identify their needs, and offer support the patient as applicable.
• Follow up with patients to ensure their needs are being met and are satisfied with the services they are receiving at APLA Health.
• Monitor, update, and sustain program visibility on all social media platforms.
• Facilitate training, support groups, and workshops to members of the TGI Community.  For example conduct, Trans support groups, HIV/STD 101 training, & PrEP/PEP 101 training.
• Facilitate Trans 101/201 trainings for APLA Health’s staff and community partners.
• Provide health education activities to members of the TGI community.
• Help coordinate the design and layout of collateral materials supporting Transgender related services, including but not limited to; program flyers, publicity campaigns, events and other materials as needed.
• Develop and implement a yearly community mobilization plan targeting outreach venues.
• Work with and continue to develop relationships with key stakeholders and APLA Health’s community partners. 
• Assist APLA Health’s Behavioral Health Team in regards to the needs of our TGI patients.
• Assist APLA Health’s Medical Health Team in regards to the needs of our TGI patients.
• Develop relationships with HIV service agencies throughout Los Angeles County that would best assist the TGI community.
• Ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
• Prepare quantitative and qualitative reports as assigned.
• Serve as speaker/facilitator for training and support groups.
• Attend community/public meetings as necessary.
• Provide counseling and rapid HIV testing to clients seeking those services.
• Provide peer mentoring to clients seeking gender transition services.     

OTHER DUTIES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO MEET PROGRAM NEEDS.

REQUIREMENTS:

Training and Experience:

Associate’s degree in a human services field OR two years of experience working in the TGI community as an advocate.  At least two years’ experience working with young POC and have extensive knowledge of psychosocial issues related to the gender continuum is preferred. Case and record management experiences is preferred. Experience working in a nonprofit environment preferred; specific training/experience with the HIV/AIDS/TGI related issues preferred.  

Knowledge of:

Gender spectrum and the barriers to health care that the TGI community continue to face. Spectrum of HIV and STD disease, harm reduction theory, behavior modification theory, human sexuality, substance use and abuse, motivational interviewing techniques, effective communication skills, de-escalation practices, prevention theory and techniques, psychosocial and mental health factors affecting quality of life for HVI/TGI individuals, outreach strategies, date management, health and social concerns of diverse populations of TGI persons, particularly those from communities of color, PEP and PrEP, HIV/STD risk reduction theory, principles of social marketing and venues or areas where the target population congregates, including the internet.

Knowledge and experience working with electronic health records, eClinicalWorks preferred.  

Ability to:

Communicate effectively orally and in writing; organize work in an effective manner; work in collaborative environment; interdisciplinary; work effective independently; show empathy to and extend compassion to those of the gender spectrum.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This is primarily an office position that requires only occasional bending, reaching, stooping, lifting and moving of office materials weighing 25 pounds or less. The position requires daily use of a personal computer and requires entering, viewing, and revising text and graphics on the computer terminal and on paper. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license; proof of auto liability insurance; and have the use of a personal vehicle for work related purposes. COVID-19 and Booster or Medical/ Religious Exemption required.

Equal Opportunity Employer: minority/female/transgender/disability/veteran.