General Responsibilities

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation’s mission is to help people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey. The following foundational behaviors are expected as an employee of Hyacinth:

Service/Client Services

Consistently demonstrates respect, responsiveness, and professionalism towards others while providing superior service for our clients

• Treats each client as a priority
• Respects each client’s right to quality service, confidentiality, and dignity.
• Works with co-workers to ensure integration of services
• Displays a welcoming, helpful attitude to clients
• Establishes and maintains personal boundaries in clinical supervision with clients or co-workers

Community/Teamwork

Actively cooperates within the region and/or program and participates in the constructive resolution of conflict.

• Focuses on improving communication and collaboration
• Tries to understand the other person’s point of view when there is a challenge
• Works with all regional staff to provide a full continuum of services to clients.
• Understands local community resources and can make appropriate referrals.
• Is clear and tactful when collaborating and working with others.

Leadership

Assuming responsibility for one’s own self in the workplace and exhibiting commitment to the client and agency.

• Takes pride in his/her work
• Advances Hyacinth’s reputation for excellence.
• Incorporates boundaries and ethical guidelines into decision making.

Employees of the Agency may learn certain facts about individuals being served by the Agency that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information are medical conditions, sexual orientation, relations with family members and other individuals. All such information must be treated as completely confidential. All staff are required to conform to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) guidelines which require the protection of personal health information.

Position Summary

Provide brief and concise statement explaining the main purpose for the existence of this position. Provide a brief summary of the role.

§ Under the supervision of the HRC Manager, performs duties relating to the development and implementation of Harm Reduction Program-Jersey City and performs assigned duties relating to the implementation and evaluation of outreach services.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

In order of importance, briefly describe, in sentence form, the essential functions/major responsibilities of this position (principal duties and responsibilities of the position) Typically, job descriptions should contain no more than seven or eight major responsibilities ranked in order of highest percentage of time to least.

Approximate Percentage of Time

Tasks/Duties/Responsibilities

50%

Client Services

• Conduct assessment of need, which includes type of drug use and number of substances used daily/weekly.
• Identify areas where syringe sweeping activities need to take place
• Conduct needle sweeping activities during Syringe Access program hours.
• Pick up Syringes from area where mobile unit is located.
• Log amount of syringes collected weekly
• Network with community providers and coordinate service delivery.
• Provide education on CHEM sex drugs and proper drug use and disposal/educational materials, referrals to drug treatment services, ARCH nurse services and medical and/or mental health services.
• If applicable track number of returned syringes and address barriers with participants.
• Provide syringes and all the other materials needed for safer drug use.
• Conduct outreach to the substance users in the high-risk communities. These communities include men who are Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs)and those who engage in substance use. Street Outreach will be conducted in at least teams of two in identified high-risk areas.
• Outreach will be provided to service providers in the area to introduce HRC and ARCH services.
• Referral and linkage undiagnosed clients to rapid HIV testing and other ARCH Nurse services.
• Refer newly diagnosed and out of care clients to Linkage to Care Navigators and other supportive services
• Actively seek and identify individuals or groups requiring the agency's services.
• Ensure confidentiality of all records
• Complete Harm Reduction Sessions with IDUs or substance using community members oas per Attachment C[BH[1] .

35%

Reporting /Monitoring

• Complete and maintain data collection as required
• Complete needle sweeping logs
• Conduct audits of program supplies and ensure that supplies are securely locked.
• Follow guidelines for proper medical waste disposal and protocols for blood borne pathogens.
• Document all referrals and track all outcomes in the Referral Logbook and SAP database.
• Prepare monthly reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Establish, maintain and update client case records using approved agency forms and procedures.
• Maintain and update client information in Evaluation Web.
• Document all incentives provided on Incentive Logs.

5%

Hyacinth representation/advocacy

• Represent Hyacinth Foundation at community events, local, and regional meetings

10%

Training and certifications

• Provide information regarding transmission and treatment of HIV and other blood borne pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Provide relevant literature to clients and members of the community. Engage in dialogue pertaining to risk behaviors, harm reduction and testing options for HIV and STDs and availability of PrEP. Identify obstacles for the provision of services and assist with referrals.

100%

Total

Other Duties (Describe important tasks or duties, not mentioned above)

• 
  Adhere to Hyacinth policies and procedures including Client confidentiality provisions
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, special events and staff training opportunities.
• Observe established administrative procedures and provide written reports as required.
• Assist with group activities, outreach events and other program informal and formal social events.
• An ideal candidate must have flexibility to work nights and some weekends as needed.

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Demonstrates understanding of objectives, duties and responsibilities in accordance with the job description.

• Understands job responsibilities and keeps current on skills and information needed to meet new challenges
• Works with team leader/manager on areas of job responsibilities that are unclear.

Delivers quality results and balances priorities to meet all project and team commitments in a timely manner.

• Serves as a steward of the public’s trust and money.
• Takes responsibility for timely decisions and actions.
• Routinely checks for accuracy in his/her own work.
• Evaluates how well an event or program was completed (i.e. attendance and target audience specifications, asks clients to rate effectiveness, asks people what was good and what can be better next time).

Disseminates relevant information about decisions, plans and activities to team leaders and supervisors

• Informs team leaders and/or managers about decisions that affect work.
• Recognizes problems and complaints and escalates to team leaders and/or managers when necessary.

[BH[1]I do not know if there still is an attachment C (if yes it should be part of this job description)

Required Qualifications Consider and identify qualifications potential applicants must possess in order to be considered for the position. Basic Qualifications must be clearly stated, objective and relevant to this position.

Required Minimum Education: Associate’s Degree Other: None

Required Years of Related Experience: 1-3 years

• Social services/community services

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

(Include any required computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

§ HIV Counseling and Testing certification

§ Fluency in Spanish is a plus

§ Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, especially with members of LGBTQ and interests

§ Access to currently registered car and a valid driver's license.

People Management Experience:

Indicate whether supervisor/people management experience is required.

N/A

Required Years of People Management Experience:

N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Consider and identify qualifications that are not required to perform the job but would be extremely helpful to performing the job.

Preferred Minimum Education:

§ Bachelor's degree plus one-year experience in HIV/AIDS, education or related field.

§ A candidate who has no degree but seems exceptionally suitable will be considered if he/she can demonstrate additional years of relevant office systems experience.

Other:

§ Candidate must have proficiency in written and verbal communications.

• Expressed commitment to Hyacinth philosophy

Preferred Area of expertise:

§ NA

Preferred Related Industry Experience: One-year experience in HIV/AIDS, education or related field

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

(Include any preferred computer skills, certifications, licenses, languages, etc.)

• Must be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS prevention with minority populations.
• Must be culturally competent and sensitive to the varying socio-cultural factors that contribute to the increase of HIV infections amongst minority community.
• Must be able to work non-traditional hours and days including late nights and weekends in order to reach high risk populations.