Sexual Health Navigator

1. Position Summary:

The Sexual Health Navigator serves as a key member of the Rural Health Services, Inc. (RHS) care team, providing patient navigation, case management, education, and linkage-to-care services for individuals affected by or at risk for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and Hepatitis C (HCV). Working within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) model, the Sexual Health Navigator supports equitable access to care by identifying and addressing social, financial, and healthcare barriers that impact patient outcomes.

This position collaborates with medical providers, behavioral health staff, pharmacy personnel, community partners, and public health organizations to improve prevention, treatment, retention in care, and health outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations. The Sexual Health Navigator supports outreach initiatives, opt-out testing programs, quality improvement efforts, and patient engagement activities across Rural Health Services.

This position is supported through external grant funding and is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funds. The Sexual Health Navigator is responsible for independently managing patient navigation and care coordination activities, supporting grant deliverables, maintaining program documentation, and contributing to quality improvement initiatives and reporting requirements associated with funded programs.

1. Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Patient Navigation and Care Coordination

• Provide clinic-based and community-based case management services for patients receiving HIV, STI, PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP, and Hepatitis C-related services.
• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to identify barriers to care, including transportation, housing instability, insurance coverage, food insecurity, behavioral health needs, and substance use concerns.
• Connect patients with internal and external resources to address identified social determinants of health.
• Facilitate referrals and linkage to primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, specialty care, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), harm reduction programs, and community support services.
• Assist patients with accessing telehealth services and support remote patient engagement initiatives.
• Monitor patient adherence to medications, treatment plans, and scheduled appointments and implement re-engagement strategies for patients who are at risk of falling out of care.

Sexual Health Education and Prevention Services

• Provide culturally responsive education regarding HIV, STIs, Hepatitis C, transmission prevention, treatment options, and available support services.
• Educate patients on HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP, and provide risk-reduction counseling.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and patient-centered counseling techniques to support behavior change and engagement in care.
• Support implementation of routine opt-out HIV and Hepatitis C screening initiatives throughout Rural Health Services.

Testing and Linkage to Care

• Perform point-of-care testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and other approved screening services in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.
• Conduct follow-up and abnormal laboratory surveillance activities, including patient notification, education, treatment coordination, and prevention linkage services.
• Ensure timely linkage to medical care for individuals with positive screening or diagnostic test results.
• Assist uninsured or underinsured patients with enrollment in available assistance programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), and other medication access resources.
• Coordinate prior authorization processes for prescribed therapies, including long-acting injectable PrEP and Hepatitis C treatment.

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Participate in community outreach events, health fairs, educational presentations, college outreach activities, substance use recovery programs, and other community-based initiatives.
• Promote awareness of sexual health services and increase access to testing, prevention, and treatment resources among priority populations.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, public health agencies, and referral partners.

Grant and Program Management

• Support achievement of grant objectives, performance measures, and program outcomes.
• Maintain accurate program documentation and data required for grant reporting and compliance.
• Assist with collection, tracking, and reporting of program metrics, patient outcomes, and quality indicators.
• Participate in audits, site visits, and monitoring activities conducted by funding agencies and program partners.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify opportunities for program growth, sustainability, and enhanced patient engagement.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, organizational policies, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Documentation, Compliance, and Quality Improvement

• Accurately document patient encounters, assessments, referrals, care plans, and follow-up activities in Athena EHR in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, HRSA, FQHC, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, continuity-of-care audits, and data collection activities related to HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C services.
• Collaborate with pharmacy, medical providers, and leadership to support program goals, quality measures, and grant-related deliverables.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and program activities with external partners, including Gilead FOCUS and other approved organizations.
• Support the growth and development of the Sexual Health Clinic and perform other duties as assigned.

Documentation, Compliance, and Quality Improvement

• Accurately document patient encounters, assessments, referrals, care plans, and follow-up activities in Athena EHR in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, HRSA, FQHC, and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, continuity-of-care audits, and data collection activities related to HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C services.
• Collaborate with pharmacy, medical providers, and leadership to support program goals, quality measures, and grant-related deliverables.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and program activities with external partners, including Gilead FOCUS and other approved organizations.
• Support the growth and development of the Sexual Health Clinic and perform other duties as assigned.

1. Skills/Certifications:

• Required
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to obtain HIV/HCV Counseling and Testing Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to obtain Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to obtain Motivational Interviewing Certification or documented training within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred

• Certified Community Health Worker (CHW).
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
• HIV Prevention Counselor Certification.
• Case Management Certification.
• Harm Reduction or Substance Use Counseling Training.
• Trauma-Informed Care Certification.
• CPR/Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Hepatitis C, and evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.
• Knowledge of PrEP, PEP, DoxyPEP, HIV treatment, and Hepatitis C treatment options.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health and their impact on healthcare access and outcomes.
• Knowledge of community resources, patient assistance programs, insurance programs, and referral processes.
• Understanding of HIPAA, patient confidentiality requirements, and healthcare compliance standards.
• Familiarity with FQHC operations, HRSA requirements, Ryan White programs, and public health initiatives preferred.
• Strong patient navigation and care coordination skills.
• Excellent communication, interviewing, and patient engagement skills.
• Effective motivational interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Accurate documentation and data-entry skills.
• Proficiency in Electronic Health Records (Athena EHR preferred) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with diverse patient populations.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and patient-centered care.
• Ability to conduct community outreach and public health education activities.
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally attend conferences, trainings, and grant-related meetings.
• Ability to adapt to changing program priorities and grant requirements.

1. Education Required:

• Associate degree in Public Health, Health Education, Social Work, Human Services, Nursing, Behavioral Health, Community Health, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in HIV prevention, sexual health, public health, case management, patient navigation, community outreach, or a related healthcare setting.
• Preferred
• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Nursing, Health Education, Community Health, or a related field.
• Experience working in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Ryan White Program, public health department, or community-based healthcare organization.
• Experience working with grant-funded programs and performance reporting requirements.