Sexual Health Medical Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Hawai’i Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) provides harm reduction-focused services to marginalized populations in Hawai’i, including people living with and/or affected by HIV, hepatitis, substance use, homelessness, and the transgender, LGBQ, and the Native Hawaiian communities. HHHRC bridges gaps and helps individuals access essential resources such as housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment. We foster health, wellness, and systemic change in Hawai’i and the Pacific through outreach, care services, advocacy, training, prevention, education, and capacity building.

Primary Purpose:

The Sexual Health Medical Assistant with subspeciality in sexual health uses the status neutral approach to work with patients and clients in supporting direct patient care from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through HIV treatment and management. Sexual Health Medical Assistant also encompasses working with individuals who are at risk for HIV and HCV and therefore provides education and support to the clinicians in direct patient care for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and testing and linkage to the HCV coordinator.

The position combines clinical assistance functions (e.g., patient intake, vitals, specimen collection) with specialized sexual health services such as PrEP/PEP navigation, vaccine administration, harm reduction counseling, and injectable treatment support. This role also contributes to clinic operations, quality assurance, and to improve access to care for underserved populations.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to: Sexual Health Program Manager

Supervises: N/A

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Clinical Care & Patient Support:

• Check patient into the clinical visit, obtain vital signs, obtain chief complaint or reason for the visit, obtain pertinent past medical history including: current medications, allergies and document the encounter and data into the patients electronic medical record (EMR)
• Using the SBARC (situation, background, assessment, recommendation and confirmation) technique to clearly report off to the clinical provider
• Perform skills which include: phlebotomy, collect lab specimens, teach patients about STI testing self- collection, complete rapid HIV/ HCV tests, administer vaccines and provide targeted counseling and health education.
  • In order to provide the skills above required DOH training shall be completed and the additional required documentation in addition to the EMR shall be completed
  • An HHHRC skills check list shall be used to document readiness and appropriate clinical skill utilization
• Complete an HIV intake and linkage/ coordination with HIV medical case managers
• Understands utilization of/ eligibility for Ryan White services to include HSPAMM and HDAP for labs and medications covered through the Department of Health
• Assist with medication administration, physician/APRN orders, and treatment procedures.
• Support patients receiving long-acting injectable treatments (e.g., PrEP and HIV treatment) , HIV treatment) including education and follow-up.
• Provide instructions regarding diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments as appropriate
• Guide patients as a navigator through PrEP/PEP initiation/ linkage into HIV care
• Remind patients of appointments through acceptable communication modalities and provide medication reminders when appropriate (i.e. Injection window, lab reminders)
• Work with the insurance navigation team to connect patients with insurance options and coverage
• Work with the Sexual Health Team Manager to complete required quality assurance, data collection requirements and prior authorization completion for medication access, and/ or pharmaceutical based medication access programs (i.e. Gilead Advancing Access, Viiv Connect…)
• Coordinate with the medical receptionist team to follow up on phone calls and document calls appropriately in the electronic medical record
• Support internal agency and external referrals as needed
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records and documentation reflecting current standards of care
• Complete and close all patient encounters, chart notes on the same day for patients with urgent needs (i.e. requiring EMS, Police, SI/HI)
• Completed and close all patient encounters, chart notes within twenty-four (24) hours of service delivery. Exemption: awaiting test results that take multiple days to result
• For critical lab results including but not limited to HIV reactive, HCV reactive, RPR reactivity alerting the clinical provider and patient of these results within 12-24 hours, non-critical lab results (normal- i.e. negative G/C) alerting patients within 24-48 hours.
• Ensure documentation meets agency, funder, Department of Health, Ryan White, and clinical standards for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness.

Clinic Operations & Administrative Support:

• Perform administrative duties including scheduling, registration, and patient check-in/out.
• Coordinate appointments and verify patient information.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies in the testing rooms and medications and alerts necessary staff needed to refill/ replace.
• Prepare treatment rooms and assist providers during procedures.
• Ensure compliance with documentation standards, protocols, and clinical workflows.
• Assist in training new staff on clinical procedures and workflows.

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

• Participate in quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure adherence to clinical protocols, safety standards, and regulatory requirements, and participate in yearly skills training and education.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

Community Outreach & Program Support:

• Conduct outreach in community settings, including areas serving individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Provide harm reduction services and education in culturally appropriate ways.
• Collaborate with community partners and agencies to expand access to testing and prevention services.
• Support implementation, coordination, and evaluation of HIV/HCV/STI programs and interventions.
• Participate in meetings, outreach events, and community initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional duties as needed and assigned. Duties are subject to change.

General Responsibilities:

• Contribute to a safe, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Work as a team with other staff and support team members.
• Maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards while serving as a representative of HHHRC.
• Observe and comply with all rules and regulations – such as HHHRC Code of Conduct, Drug-Free Workplace, Confidentiality – and other administrative policies of HHHRC.
• Abide by all policies and procedures of the HHHRC Health & Safety Program and the Quality Management Program.
• Comply with HHHRC confidentiality policy, HIPAA requirements, cultural competencies, and rights to persons served, as well as CARF standards.
• Demonstrate steadfast understanding of, and commitment to, the Mission, Vision, and Values of HHHRC.

Work Hours:

• Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm, with some evening and weekend attendance required for agency events.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Office environment: indoors, air-conditioned.
• Fieldwork/Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): may be subjected to unpredictable environments with extremes in temperature, noise, odors, weather conditions, etc.
• May be exposed to communicable disease, body fluids, sharps, and chemicals. All appropriate CDC & DOH recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided, if needed.
• Long hours sitting using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle strain.
• Regular use of computers, keyboards, telephone, and operating office equipment.
• Essential physical activities: standing, sitting, walking, finger dexterity, seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching above, at, and below shoulder, and frequent gripping of an object.
• Occasional physical activities: stooping, bending, squatting, twisting body, and lifting.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of supplies and equipment (up to 50 pounds) and walking long distances for outreach and community events, etc.
• Requires closed-toe shoes during working hours and comfortable and appropriate business-casual attire (walking shorts, and pertinent tee-shirt for scheduled activities/events of the day).

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient verbal and written communication in English.
• Expertise with mobile applications (apps) used by MSM and transgender communities.
• Proficient working and communicating in various social media platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and as part of a team.
• Capability to comfortably engage the target population in multiple settings at various times.
• Capacity to maintain client confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrated experience of being able to work with Hawaiʻi’s diverse populations.
• Willingness and ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary to reach the target population.
• Ability to work well and thrive professionally in an atmosphere of significant diversity, working with marginalized populations.
• Non-judgmental attitude and ability to respect the knowledge, actions, and feelings of others.

Education/Experience:

• High School degree/GED, or equivalent work experience.
• One (1) or more years of professional and/or personal experience with target populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree, or undergraduate degree, in Social Work or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and human sexuality as well as culturally appropriate educational and outreach strategies directed at the target population.
• Extensive knowledge of sexual health and harm reduction practices to reduce individual risk of HIV/STI transmission.
• Knowledge of principles of harm reduction.

Required Work Cards/Certifications:

• Valid Hawaii Driver’s License and clean Driver’s Abstract.
• TB Clearance
• Hep B Clearance and/or Vaccination
• Must pass Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services eligibility screening.

H awai ʻ i Health & Harm Reduction Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.