PrEP Counselor

**ON-SITE POSITIONMAJOR FUNCTION** Under the supervision of the HIV Counseling and Testing Coordinator, the PrEP Navigator will assess clients’ suitability for PrEP, and is responsible for assisting HIV high-risk negative clients in initiating, adhering to, and managing a PrEP regimen. **ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS** - Provide rapid HIV test to clients, used for basis of next steps. - Assess and address clients’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding PrEP. - Assessment of clients’ level of risk to determine appropriateness for PrEP. - Engage identified high-risk individuals in discussions regarding HIV risk reduction and all manner of PrEP information, to include at a minimum: - What is required of the client to ensure that PrEP is maximally effective; - The potential side effects of PrEP medication(s); - Schedule of medical follow-up visits for monitoring health status relative to possible side effects; and - Discussion of relationship situations when PrEP may no longer be appropriate. - Assess clients’ intentions to initiate and comply with a PrEP regimen. - Assess clients’ health insurance status. - Assist/refer clients with prior authorizations, insurance enrollment and pharmaceutical company required application and enrollment in medication assistance program as appropriate. - Provide clients with completed prior authorization paperwork for them to take with them when they see the PrEP prescriber. - Evaluate clients’ access to primary care providers. - Identify clients’ transportation needs. - Assist clients in the development of their adherence plan. - Provide sexual risk reduction counseling regarding HIV and STIs. - Monitor clients to ensure regimen adherence and clinical follow-up visits, which may include: - Appointment reminders using appropriate technology (texting, social media, interventions etc.) - Delivery of evidence-based strategies, which may include but are not limited to: - Every Dose Every Day Mobile Application - PEER Support - Partnership for Health Medication Adherence - SMART Couples - Familiarity with CDC’s publication “[Optimizing Entry Into and Retention in HIV Care and ART Adherence for PLWHA](https://www.effectiveinterventions.org/docs/default-source/patient-navigation/Peer_educators_role_to_patient_navigation_manual.pdf?sfvrsn=0)”. - Provide tracking and follow-up with the client and/or provider 90 days after initiation of PrEP. - Work collaboratively with clinical PrEP providers. - Monitor and evaluate PrEP program as directed by management. - Collect program data and in-put in NJDOH/DHSTS PrEP data management system as required. - Compile and report program results/indicators. - Number of clients provided education and counseling services. - Source of PrEP referral (partners of HIV+ clients, CBOs that serve the target population, word of mouth, private physicians, primary care clinics, STD clinics, etc.). - Number of interested clients for whom PrEP is indicated. - Number of clients for whom PrEP is not indicated. - Number referred to receive PrEP prescriptions and follow-up medical services. - Number who attend their first visit to PrEP clinical site. - Number who initiate PrEP. - Number who make 90-day visit to PrEP site. - Number remaining on PrEP at 3, 6, and 12 months. - Link PrEP patients to other resources as appropriate. ## **ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:** - Maintain strict patient confidentiality protocols as required by Henry J. Austin’s Patient Confidentiality Code of Conduct Policy and NJDOH/DHSTS per HIPPA regulations. - Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as apparent and/or as assigned by HIV Counseling and Testing Coordinator. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. **REQUIREMENTS:** **EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:** - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field. - Minimum of three years’ experience as an HIV tester/counselor. - Experienced in del…