Care Technician/PrEP - Grant Funded_11_30_2029

Position Overview:

To promote and support access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to those at high risk of contracting HIV by: identifying HIV-negative individuals at high-risk for HIV through testing and outreach activities, offering education about Ryan’s PrEP services to high-risk negative individuals (HRNs), assisting in the screening of individuals for eligibility for PrEP services, and providing navigation services (including regular follow-up and referral to services) for patients on PrEP. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Ryan Health.

Essential Functions:

1. Conduct promotion and patient recruitment for Ryan’s PrEP services, in collaboration with the Network’s Prevention, Education, and Outreach (PEO) team, in venues/locations/neighborhoods where high-risk negative (HRN) individuals convene, with a focus on young men of color who have sex with men (YMSM).
2. Provide individual and group sessions to educate community members about PrEP and the Center’s PrEP services and/or PEP to PrEP services.
3. In cooperation with the Center’s clinical and support staff conduct patient recruitment for PrEP services among HRNs with a focus on YMSM of color.
4. Complete non-medical assessments of patients for PrEP services.
5. Develop linkages between health care and mental health providers, drug treatment programs, local social service agencies, and other resources to assure continuity of care of patients.
6. Provide navigation services to link Ryan’s PrEP and PEP patients to Primary Care, Medication Adherence, HIV Prevention, and other services, as appropriate.
7. Conduct care planning activities (e.g., scheduling appointments, monitoring appointment adherence, preparing bi-annual care plan, etc.) for all PrEP patients in partnership with patient care teams (e.g., medical provider, nursing staff, etc.).
8. Conduct follow-up and (re)engagement activities for PrEP patients not adherent to PrEP-related medical visits.
9. Advocate on patients’ behalf to ensure patients receiving PrEP services are connected to all relevant and available entitlements, including enrollment in insurance assistance programs (e.g., PrEP-AP).
10. Implement quality improvement and performance improvement initiatives related to the increased utilization and efficiency of PrEP services.
11. Conduct HIV Testing utilizing all available methods, including Inverness Medical ClearView Rapid HIV- ½ AntibodyTesting, OraSure and OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid Testing.
12. Practice accepted infection measure in accordance with OHSA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards.
13. Provide crisis intervention and referrals to emergency services.
14. Refer patients with overt psychiatric problems to psychiatric practitioners.
15. Collaborate and consult with team and other service providers in identifying service gaps and care planning, disposition and closure.
16. Provide home, hospital or community site visits and escort, as appropriate.
17. Translate and interpret for medical practitioners and patients, when necessary and appropriate.
18. Attend required meetings, case conference and supervision, as assigned.
19. Assist in the provision of presentations to Ryan staff about PrEP as assigned.
20. Attend professional conferences, in-service seminars and meetings, as assigned.
21. Immediately report any problems/unusual occurrences to supervisor.
22. Must demonstrate a professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, immediate supervisor and other employees.
23. Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served.
24. Perform other duties assigned.