Linkage to Care Specialist - Public Health
About The Position
Incumbents perform duties related to controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and other public health risks within Mecklenburg County. Duties include: conducting personal interviews to obtain case-related information; educating clients regarding the disease process, treatment, prevention and legal requirements; and analyzing epidemiological information to determine the need and priority for follow-up activities. The Linkage to Care Specialist works with individuals who have tested positive for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and/or Hepatitis C and who would benefit from assistance in navigating healthcare systems. The incumbent possesses the basic knowledge of disease transmission and progression and has an extensive knowledge of community agencies and resources. The mission is to link the client with needed services, empower the client in navigating systems, enhancing self-advocacy, and promoting self-sufficiency in meeting the client's needs. The Linkage to Care Specialist works one-on-one with individuals in a variety of settings, identifies client needs, develops strategies with the client to address those needs, and advocates for the client during interactions with healthcare providers.
Requirements
- Two years of related public health experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a related field
- Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License.
- Must obtain and maintain a valid Mecklenburg County Vehicle Operator’s Permit.
- Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public health
- Local resources and services
- The disease concept of addiction, stages of alcoholism and drug addiction
- Person-centered planning.
- Skilled in: Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software
- Abilities: Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
- Collaboration – Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
- Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
- Leveraging Diversity – Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals.
- Patient Education/Health Promotion – Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status.
Nice To Haves
- BS or Masters of Social work
- Experience with public health care or medical settings
- Experience with motivational interviewing
- History of working with diverse populations
- History of working with clients who may experience low health literacy
Responsibilities
- Locate, notify and counsel clients about positive laboratory test results
- Educates clients on U=U and the importance of achieving viral suppression.
- Assist clients with developing a plan for medication adherence
- Facilitates communication between the patient, family members and healthcare provider to ensure patient satisfaction and quality of care as needed.
- Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations
- Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services
- Arranges for and ensure testing, treatment as needed
- Documents client interactions using an electronic medical records system
- Provides monthly reports of activities
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
