Peer Navigator

Description

Cornerstone Family Healthcare is actively recruiting for a WHIN Peer Navigator to join our growing team.

RATE OF PAY/SALARY: $18.00 per hour.

WORK LOCATION(S): Newburgh, NY

STATUS: Part-Time (Up to 14 hours per week); 5 Year Grant to expire July 2030

SCHEDULE: Flexible Hours, Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed

CORNERSTONE’S MISSION:

Cornerstone Family Healthcare is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center with a mission to provide high quality, comprehensive, primary and preventative health care services in an environment of caring, dignity and respect to all people regardless of their ability to pay. For more than fifty years, Cornerstone has been responsive to meeting the needs of the communities in which we serve with a continued emphasis on the underserved and those without access to health care regardless of race, economic status, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor, the Peer Navigator delivers peer-driven services to program participants in the counties of Rockland, Dutchess, Orange and Westchester. The program’s goal is to increase awareness of HIV/HCV/STI status and addressing SDOH through educational workshops and outreach events and to refer young WoC at high risk for testing, linking them to treatment and encouraging behavior modification to lower infection risk. The position is based in the Newburgh office and requires some evening and weekend hours; 14 hours per week.

Key Competencies:

• Conduct outreach to recruit and develop a core group of young WoC to act as peers for the program.
• Conduct outreach to community partners and maintain collaborative relations with service providers in the counties serviced by the program.
• Conduct groups and events that provide health education and risk reduction strategies.
• Provide referrals for clients for testing, linkage to treatment, SDOH, and other services as deemed appropriate.
• Complete data entry into the AIRS system for each intervention and service.

Description of Duties:

• Observe and abide by HIPAA and the HIV Confidentiality Law.
• Provide training, treatment updates and development strategies for peers, in conjunction with Program Supervisor, on a continuous basis.
• Compile program data and ensure that all required data is entered into the agency’s AIDS Institute Report System (AIRS) in an accurate and timely manner.
• Develop, promote and implement groups and events providing health education and risk reduction strategies to increase knowledge, comfort and commitment to safer sex practices utilizing the Sister to Sister or similar intervention.
• Actively participate with peers in the Social Networking Strategies (SNS) intervention, including managing and tracking SNS incentives.
• Provide referrals for HIV/STI/HCV testing, SDOH assessment, PrEP and PEP medication, medical and behavioral health services. as well as other services and benefits as applicable.
• Follow up on all referrals.
• Continuously review and assess the demand for services among the priority population and consult with Program Supervisor about adjusting programming as needed.
• Maintain client charts and ensure consistency with agency policies in all aspects of the annual workplan.
• Conduct outreach recruitment activities through the use of Social Media, presentations to services providers and networking with community organizations and key community members.
• Complete the mandated continuing education trainings as selected and scheduled by the Program Supervisor.
• Assist in program coverage when required.
• Attend and participate in monthly department, All Staff and other required meetings.
• Be familiar with Cornerstone policies and procedures and the Employee Handbook.
• Maintain confidentiality of all aspects of Cornerstone including, but not limited to, patient confidentiality, financials, and employee relations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

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Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with lived shared experience of priority population. One year of experience in peer education, HIV/HCV/STI counseling and/or disease prevention.
• Minimum of one year experience working with the priority population. Knowledge of HIV/HCV/STI’s and HCV, harm reduction, mental health or community resources.
• Travel/Time Requirement: Must have a valid, unrestricted driver's license and independent means of transportation for frequent travel to locations throughout the assigned county as well as to the offices of Cornerstone.