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Linkage Specialist

Summary Purpose for the Position:

Provide in-facility Linkage and Navigation (L&N) services to all HIV positive individuals known to NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) to address any care engagement and treatment adherence barriers, with priority given to HIV positive individuals within 90 days of release/discharge. Coordinate reentry planning and provide services that strengthen the capacity of HIV positive individuals exiting NYS correctional facilities to achieve successful community reentry, with a focus on addressing barriers to reentry and services that facilitate maintaining/achieving positive medical outcomes. Identify new infections and ensure connection to medical care and appropriate linkage to partner services and prevention interventions.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Certification, Knowledge, Skill):

Position requires at least three years of human services experience in direct service with clients and/or a Bachelor's Degree in Health Education, Nursing or related field, or any combination of education

Experience which demonstrates proficiency in networking, making referrals, advocacy, and HIV/AIDS infection knowledge.

The successful candidate will be required to go through training in Motivational Interviewing, Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services (ARTAS) Linkage Case Management, and the NYS State Department of Health’s Confidentiality Policies and Procedures for Staff Conducting HIV/AIDS Surveillance and HIV Partner Notification Activities.

Position Responsibilities:

Inform HIV positive individuals of in-facility services provided by PathStone’s Criminal Justice Initiative (CJI) within Albion Correctional Facility.

Discuss current client concerns, if any, and offer to enroll in program.

Enroll HIV positive individuals interested in the program and conduct an assessment of need, and create, maintain and keep secure a client file for all HIV+ individuals enrolled in L&N.

Develop a Linkage Action Plan for enrolled participants that outlines steps to address any care engagement and treatment adherence barriers, with priority given to HIV positive individuals within 90 days of release/discharge.

Provide the following disclosure and engagement services:

Assess risk and barriers to disclosure and medical care engagement.

Educate about the quality of care in NYSDOCCS correctional facilities.

Advise about the benefits of medical care and early treatment for HIV.

Assist with accessing HIV testing to document status in order to receive care in NYSDOCCS.

Offer time-limited effective interventions that support medical care engagement through ARTAS.

Link to other programs/support services, including prevention education, support services, and HIV/Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)/Hepatitis C (HCV) Peer Educator Training

Revisit the Linkage Action Plan in collaboration with the client, and ensure that it contains information about health insurance coverage, initial HIV related medical care appointments and other support services appointments, contact information for Community Based Organizations.

Coordinate the completion of the Linkage Action Plan with NYSDOCCS Discharge Planning Unit and community supervision staff.

Follow up and document within two weeks to ensure client successfully accessed care and services identified in the Linkage Action Plan. If client has not accessed services, coordinate with referral entity to identify reasons and attempt to re-engage.

Working Conditions/Environment:

Some lifting

Driving

This position requires routine exposure to individuals at high risk of being infected with serious illness and meeting with clients infected with HIV as well as the stress of working with inmates who are HIV positive.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Transportation Requirement:

Position requires automobile, driver’s license and insurance.

Last Updated: 9/22/2017

Replaces: N3LA

Approved: 9/22/17, by SrVPHR