YMSM PREVENTION ASSOCIATE

Apicha Community Health Center aims to improve community health by providing access to comprehensive primary care, preventive health services, mental health, and supportive services. The center is dedicated to delivering high-quality, culturally competent services that enhance the quality of life. It also advocates for and offers a welcoming environment for underserved and vulnerable populations. 

Position Summary: 

This YMSM Prevention Associate will be responsible for recruitment of target populations and their partners regardless of race/ethnicity and HIV serostatus. This position will conduct HIV testing, STI screening, linkage and navigation, implementation of effective-behavioral interventions in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. 

The major duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

Direct Service

• Recruit target populations and their partners regardless of race/ethnicity and HIV serostatus for HIV/STI screening services and CDC approved behavioral interventions
• Conduct risk assessment and administer HIV/STD/Hepatitis C screening including specimen collection in accordance with the agency’s protocol for on-site & field testing
• Link HIV-positive individuals to HIV medical care and HIV care management
• Link high-risk HIV negative individuals to PrEP and PEP treatment and PrEP navigation
• Refer clients to needed services as appropriate and navigate clients to essential and supportive services that address social determinants of health, by making appointments and/or escorting clients to services when appropriate
• Co-facilitate CDC approved behavioral interventions to YMCSM clients of the agency
• Assist with HIV testing events and other health fair coordination

Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with other Apicha CHC staff
• Identify and establish collaboration with organizations and community sites for CDC’s behavioral interventions, such as Social Networking Strategy.
• Represent APICHA to articulate mission and services provided.

Compliance

• Meet requirements set by funding sources and by the agency, including timely submission of project reports and all required data entry.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma and at least one (1) year of paid work experience; alternatively, a higher education degree (such as a Bachelor's) may be accepted in place of the required education and work experience.
• Ability to reach and recruit target program participants 
• Ability to provide HIV/STI/Hepatitis C screening in accordance with APICHA Community Health Center’s protocol for on-site & field testing;
• Ability to meet Apicha proficiency standard for HIV/STI/Hepatitis C testing within 30 days of hire required.
• Ability to complete the credentialing for the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage within 3 months of hiring.
• Ability to identify and navigate internet websites where target populations meet their partners. Also to identify and navigate sites where target populations to meet their partners, such as bars/clubs, private sex parties, etc
• Ability to work comfortably, professionally in conducting program promotion/client recruitment activities in various high-risk venues including places where target populations gather (i.e., bars/clubs, bathhouses, private sex parties)
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately on sexual topics
• Ability to work with staff and clients of diverse backgrounds
• Must be flexible to work nights and weekends
• Ability to use public transportation
• Ability to use common office computer software such as Word, Excel and the Internet.

At Apicha, we believe that serving the needs of our staff is just as important as serving the needs of underserved people of New York City as such we are proud to offer our team members a competitive employee benefits package which include 12 Paid Holidays, vacation and sick leave, Health Insurance Coverage, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Employee Assistant Program just to name a few.