Description

The Department of Medicine is seeking a Sr. Community Outreach Specialist who will use virtual technologies to bridge gaps in services for people at high risk for HIV, people living with HIV that are newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed and in need of support with linkage, engagement, and/or retention in care. They will facilitate referral for home-based HIV and STI testing, post-test counseling, and status-neutral linkage to care. This role will assist John G. Bartlett Specialty Practice staff on how to use virtual technologies to assist patients in attending telehealth appointments.

In addition, the Sr. Community Outreach Specialist will work with Johns Hopkins marketing to develop the Bartlett Telehealth program website and will maintain a social media presence through Twitter, Instagram, and other apps as appropriate. This individual will provide telehealth navigation services to individuals identified through community partner programs. They will work in collaboration with the JGBSP Telehealth Program manager in developing and implementing data and reporting protocols. The Telehealth Virtual Outreach Program is a new program at JGBSP that will allow for the expansion of HIV prevention and HIV treatment outreach services into the virtual realm.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Initiate, build, and maintain professional relationships with patients in the clinic, offering support and guidance in medical and non-medical supportive services that are available in our program and the community.
• Use virtual technologies (iPad, iPhone, Laptop) to link people to HIV prevention and HIV treatment services.
• Assist clients in navigating a complex medical system by building trust and a professional working relationship.
• Work in collaboration with the Telehealth Program manager on developing virtual HIV prevention, HIV treatment, and Telehealth marketing materials.
• Work with the Telehealth Program manager on developing and implementing virtual outreach protocols.
• Maintain all data tracking systems.
• Act as a liaison between social workers, clinic staff, and patients as needed
• Develop a virtual referral process between JGBSP and community partners.
• Develop and implement telehealth training for peer navigators and other staff as needed.
• Oversee social media engagement activities for the JGBSP (creating and planning content, posting, and tracking posts across social media platforms e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms as needed).
• Work in collaboration with other social media staff to ensure coverage of day-to-day social media activities.
• Report social media activities on a bi-weekly basis to the Telehealth program manager.
• Communicate any issues of concern (e.g., mental health concerns, substance use concerns, non-adherence) to the patient care team.
• Work with JGBSP navigators in creating social media campaigns and promotions.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners by attending virtual meetings, town halls, and events.
• Assess the patient's strengths as well as needs to address individual and community barriers to care and intervene as appropriate.
• Assist with patient virtual education groups in the John G. Bartlett Specialty Practice (JGBSP).
• Conduct follow-up telephone and/or secure video calls with clients to ensure that services were obtained; reschedule appointments as needed.
• Educate patients on self-advocacy skills and empower them to communicate effectively with their healthcare team
• Encourage patients to use supportive services and counseling (e.g. substance use counseling, therapy, etc.)
• Help coordinate and potentially accompany patients to medical appointments.
• Help coordinate telemedicine appointments via phone or secure video appointment.
• Provide educational resource materials via social media and other established virtual platforms
• Provide referrals for HIV services as needed.
• Provide wellness phone calls and support to persons struggling with adherence and/or psychosocial issues (i.e. sexual orientation, gender identity, unemployment)
• Assist with administration of annual patient satisfaction surveys.
• Plan and conduct client focus groups as needed.
• Assist with tracking information and general record-keeping
• Maintain client confidentiality.
• Provide direct service to potential consumers and to those JGBSP consumers who have fallen out of care.
• Document and provide pertinent information regarding services delivered in the EMR.
• Build rapport with community-based agencies to streamline referral processes for housing, domestic violence support, legal services, etc.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and conference calls.
• Work closely with other program navigators to plan and conduct navigation and virtual outreach activities.
• Participate in health promotion and health education outreach.
• Provide HIV testing and counseling services at JGBSP and JGBSP community events.
• Any other duties at the discretion of the supervisor or manager of the project.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Some related work experience.
• Additional experience may substitute for required education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic understanding of the recovery principles: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Empowerment Skills, Self-Advocacy, Educational Opportunities, and the importance of using personal and community supports.
• Lived experience with HIV, substance use, or mental health is not essential but welcome.
• The individual does not need to be in recovery him/herself but must be able to confer empathy through lived experiences.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Peer Recovery Navigator certification or equivalent experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Commitment to a positive, collaborative work environment that serves clinic staff and providers in order to better care for patients.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Flexibility with work schedule days/hours needed.
• Ongoing commitment to safety regarding all infectious disease protocols, including flexibility with changing protocols as necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Some competency using a computer, including email use and Microsoft Word.
• Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills, particularly for communicating with a wide variety of individuals from patients to administrative personnel, experienced clinicians, and physicians.
• Ability to adhere to policy and procedures and maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Attention to detail and ability to chart and enter data accurately.

Classified Title: Sr. Community Outreach Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CD
Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY ($48,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM DOM ID Bartlett Clinic
Personnel area: School of Medicine