Prevention Specialist

Prevention Specialist 

Community Health

Damien Center Values

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Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana’s oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition. 

Position Summary:  

The HIV/STI Prevention Specialist plays a critical role in promoting the health and well-being of individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), and other sexually transmitted infections. This position is responsible for providing direct services, including testing, counseling, risk reduction education, and linkage to care. In addition to delivering prevention and education services, the Specialist actively contributes to outreach efforts, training programs, and the development of community partnerships. The HIV/STI Prevention Specialist also coordinates access to essential support services such as housing assistance, transportation, and food resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. 

• Provide rapid HIV/HCV/STI testing with pre- and post-test counseling
• Assess individual risk behaviors and collaboratively develop personalized risk-reduction plans
• Offer supplemental sex education to individuals and groups, including clarifying common misconceptions about HIV/STIs, fluid transmission, and prevention methods. 
• Link clients to confirmatory testing, medical care, PrEP/PEP, mental health services, substance use treatment, and other social services. 
• Provide direct crisis intervention services as appropriate. 
• Assist in client coordination for resources to nutrition, housing, transportation, employment, and other basic needs. 
• Handle, prepare, document, and transfer specimens for STI testing in accordance with clinical protocols and privacy standards. 
• Assist in training new HIV/STI testers from partners or external organizations in testing protocols, counseling techniques, and prevention strategies
• Participate in outreach efforts at high-impact locations such as street venues and bathhouses to engage and test at-risk populations
• Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations to expand reach and services. 
• Collaborate with internal prevention teams to ensure seamless referral and follow-up for clients at high risk. 
• Support evaluation, quality assurance, and data tracking activities
• Participate in health fairs, community events, and speaking engagements to promote HIV/STI education and The Damien Center’s services. 
• Provide consultation and training on HIV/STI prevention as needed. 
• Attend staff meetings, training, and supervision to stay current on advancements in testing, harm reduction, and cultural competency.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to outreach and testing sites. 
• Availability to work up to two evenings per week and one weekend per month, including nontraditional hours. 
• Willingness to perform additional duties and special assignments as needed

Education and/or Experience:

Experience with HIV testing and/or community outreach is preferred. Bilingual in Spanish/English or Creole/English is preferred for this position but not required. Driving and reliable transportation are required for work-related purposes.

*Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work. 

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor. 

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competency and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Leader: Prevention Program Manager

Salary: $21.79 hourly

Benefits: 

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP. 
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.