Peer Counselor

The HIV Peer Counselor is responsible for assessing and coordinating care for program participants, ensuring they receive the necessary services to improve their physical and mental wellness. This role involves working closely with program participants, their support networks, and healthcare professionals to develop and implement tailored care plans. The Peer Counselor also coordinates with the Non-Medical Case Manager, Social Worker, Physician, or the Medical Case Manager who also plays a key role in monitoring program participant progress, providing peer counseling or intervention when needed, and performing outreach activities as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) or Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) initiatives.

• Facilitate individual therapeutic sessions with program participants, drawing on personal experience with similar issues to provide guidance and support.
• Assist program participants in implementing treatment goals and objectives, including adherence to prescribed therapeutic regimens, medications, and medical procedures.
• Provide emotional support and encouragement to help program participants manage their health and well-being.
• facilitating peer counselor-led client support groups.

• Educate program participants about the Ryan White service delivery system, helping them navigate available resources and services.
• Offer information and training on self-care practices that align with program participants' treatment goals.
• Empower program participants to take an active role in managing their health by fostering a supportive and understanding relationship.

• Maintain regular contact with program participants through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and home visits.
• Monitor program participants' progress in adhering to their treatment plans and provide ongoing support to address any challenges or concerns.
• Document interactions and progress, ensure accurate records are kept for each program participant.

• Work collaboratively with healthcare providers, case managers, and other professionals to ensure a comprehensive approach to program participant care.
• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to discuss program participant progress and strategies for continued support.
• Coordinate with other services and resources to meet program participants' needs effectively.
• 30% of the Ryan White Service category is dedicated to these services by contract.

• HIV Testing and Linkage

• High school diploma or equivalent; some college coursework in social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
• Personal experience with a similar health condition or challenge as the clients being served.
• Strong understanding of the Ryan White service delivery system and available resources.
• Excellent communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to supporting clients in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner.
• Maintains HIV 500/501 testing certificates.
• Meaning:
  Successfully completing the HIV 500 and 501 courses, including all pre- and post-requisites.
• Observing a minimum of one pre-test counseling session, one HIV-negative post-test counseling session, and one HIV-positive post-test counseling session (role play is acceptable on a case-by-case basis for the HIV-negative and positive post-test counseling sessions).
• Performing a minimum of one pre-test counseling session, one HIV-negative post-test counseling session, and one HIV-positive post-test counseling session under the supervision of staff with at least one year of experience in providing client-centered HIV counseling, testing, and linkage services (role play is acceptable on a case-by-case basis).
• Completing the entire training, with emergency course completion arrangements made at the instructor's discretion if necessary.
• Completing post-training requisites within 60 days of class completion.
• Participating annually in the Department-approved HIV 501 Update curricula for recertification to continue HIV testing.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities but must work with other staff and volunteers.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

- Manages difficult or emotional program participant…