Human Services Program Specialist

HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST –

Requisition No: 863508

Agency:
Department of Health

Working Title:

HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST –

This position is in the Area 1 Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Program under the supervision of the Community and Social Service Manager 1 SES. This work requires a clear understanding of the confidentiality and security of HIV/AIDS activities. Must maintain confidentiality regarding all client information. Must assure compliance with current Department of Health security policies by fulfilling the Information Custodian responsibilities described in Security Policy 3, areas of responsibilities.

Ensures that data set(s) under this position’s responsibilities are available to those who need to know and protects the integrity of assigned dataset(s) and assists the Security Coordinator as needed to comply with policies and procedures. Travel will be required.

• Collaborate and coordinate with HIV testing, linkage and Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) staff at County Health Departments (CHD), public and private medical providers, HIV case managers, community-based organizations (CBO), Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA) providers, perinatal linkage staff, State and County correctional staff, community health center, and other HIV testing sites to link HIV-positive individuals into the HIV/AIDS system of care throughout the area/county.
  
  Have knowledge of local care and treatment delivery system. Complete initial Ryan White Patient Care Eligibility Application when necessary and set up initial appointment(s) for access into the medical care system for these individuals. Follow up with the provider and individual to confirm that the individual kept their set appointment. Attend client initial linkage and/or re‑engagement appointments, as necessary.
• Coordinate with and act as a liaison to linkage specialists in Area 1 to ensure Linkage to Care (LTC) field records in the STD STAR database are followed up on and closed out in a timely manner within the STD STAR database. Regularly monitor the status of all LTC field records for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties that make up Area 1 and provide technical assistance and training to linkage specialists to ensure the accuracy of linkage outcomes and timeliness of record close‑outs.
  
  Ensure all newly diagnosed individuals are linked to care within 30 days.
• Coordinate with local HIV/AIDS surveillance and STD program staff to ensure Data-to‑Care line lists are worked in a timely manner. Communicate regularly with surveillance, STD, and other staff to assist with linkage and re‑engagement activities for the area/county. Ensure information about each linkage/re‑engagement is accurately documented and provided to surveillance staff for submission with the line list documentation, once complete.
• Enter all testing, linkage and/or re‑engagement services into the Health Management System (HMS), the State Ryan White CAREWare system, the STD STAR system and all other reporting systems as needed on a regular basis.
• Explore and disseminate information on existing community services that would assist HIV‑positive individuals with the practical aspects of adherence such as transportation, obtaining needed medications, receiving Medicaid or private insurance, etc. Provide HIV education and information to HIV‑positive individuals as needed.
• Identify HIV+ pregnant women who are at highest risk and appropriate for the Perinatal Linkage Program through screening and assessment. Develop a written, client‑centered prevention plan, based on ongoing assessments of risk and progress toward risk reduction. Include a plan regarding family planning, baby spacing, or sterilization if desired. Provide multiple HIV risk‑reduction counseling sessions during pregnancy and after birth if needed.
  
  Coordinate active follow‑up. Work closely with Healthy Start, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Children Medical Services (CMS), and any other case managers serving HIV+ pregnant women.
• Support the HIV/AIDS Program and its ancillary staff and works with others to accomplish the…