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Health Advocate

Position Overview

The Health Advocate builds working relationships, solves problems, and supports clients as they learn to navigate the health care system and self-care. Advocates serve as subject matter experts for clients getting tested for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C. They conduct testing, provide guidance and promote ongoing care based on test results. They will coordinate processes or procedures such as billing, data collection and reporting, inventory or specialized outreach. Health Advocates work a non-traditional schedule both in and out of the agency, serving the community with education, counseling, testing, and programmatic outreach. The position reports to the Community Health Manager and works closely with Allies staff.  

Mission

To improve health and well-being, Allies provides integrated medical care, supportive human services, and community-based education for individuals living with, or at risk of HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections.

Vision

Allies envisions a healthier community whereby people access integrated medical care and supportive human services in a respectful setting, free of stigma and discrimination.

Key Responsibilities

  • Follow guidelines required to complete tasks associated with specialized procedures related to data collection and reporting, billing appropriate entities and/or programmatic outreach;

  • Test clients for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C; 

  • Establish and build trust with clients; 

  • Counsel clients about test results, treatment and prevention options, and resources available; 

  • Assist with options throughout treatment process by serving as an active liaison between clients and care providers; 

  • Facilitate initial client appointments with care and supportive services professionals as well as reminders for follow-up testing and care appointments regarding prevention services; 

  • Participate in and assist with outreach efforts to establish and maintain positive relationships with the community and populations at high risk of infection, which include distributing informational materials, condoms and lube, speaking in public, and offering testing and counseling in outreach settings; 

  • Enthusiastically initiate and engage community members in conversation regarding Allies’ services; 

  • Maintain updated client records with data, plans, notes, appropriate forms or related information; 

  • Maintain paperwork and report test results to appropriate person and/or agency, and ship biological testing samples to appropriate labs. 

  • Ability to work varied schedules with rotating hours in diverse settings; 

  • Ability to drive a cargo van to events and testing locations 

  • Support the Front Desk by providing back up coverage, which includes answering the phones and the front door, scheduling patients, directing patients, communicating with other staff regarding clients and patients.  

Organizational Expectations

  • Seek out up-to-date information about Allies’ programs and services, as well as relevant local, regional and national health statistics that will inform and support our mission; 

  • Improve job knowledge by remaining aware of new regulations and best practices, participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, participating in professional organizations; 

  • Embrace and exemplify organizational standards and guiding principles for processes, protocols and utilization; 

  • Commit to Allies’ promise to sustain and extend diversity, equity and inclusion; 

  • Contribute to efforts which build and reinforce Allies’ distinctive, effective and ethical practices. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Through a combination of experience and education, the Health Advocate will have: 

  • Extensive understanding of the services and programs offered as part of sexual health and disease prevention; 

  • Strong understanding of HIV, hepatitis C, and general STI information, primarily focused on symptomology, transmission, prevention, and treatment 

  • PrEP and PEP protocols; 

  • Motivational interviewing techniques; 

  • Harm reduction ideology and standards; 

  • HIPAA and Act 148 standards; 

  • Safety protocols associated with blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and in handling specimens collected for testing; 

  • Written communication that reflects ability to write clearly and accurately; 

  • Basic computer knowledge in Microsoft Outlook, electronic health records, word processing, and spreadsheets; 

  • Prioritization and management of time-sensitive projects; 

  • Strong customer service orientation and ability to work with diverse groups and special populations; 

A bachelor’s degree in health education, public health or a related degree, OR relevant work experience with the associated responsibilities is required.  

The Health Advocate may be called upon to engage in physical activity related to general office work and to stand or sit for extended periods. Current PA child abuse, PA criminal history, federal criminal history clearances, and verification of TB test performed within the last year are required within the first 30 days of employment. 

Valid driver’s license (Pennsylvania preferred) is required. 

The designated salary range for the Health Advocate position is $36K to $40K, with distinctions made for education and direct service experience with client populations like Allies’. 

LGBTQIA identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities and legal histories, as well as from other historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.