Title: Peer Navigator III

Overview: Peers are a valuable community resource lending credibility and cultural competence to a program. Peers can be particularly helpful with individuals who are sporadically engaged in or resistant to care, and they also provide additional social support.

This Peer Navigator position will assist with outreach, contacting and engaging consumers, accompany clients on medical and supportive service appointments, assist with technology, provide encouragement as well as coaching elements, assist clients in self-advocacy and self-management, and assist with monitoring of progress.

Status: Part-Time (20hrs) Hourly: $23.00/hour Reports to: Program Manager I

Qualifications:

1. Must have NYS Dept of Health AIDS Institute Peer Certification or meets the requirements for NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute Peer Certification with a commitment to become AI Peer Certified within the first year of hire.

2. Experience working with people with HIV/AIDS and/or other chronic illnesses.

3. Professional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and ability to interact with a wide range of personalities. An understanding of the social constructs that impact those struggling with homelessness and economic instability.

4. Effective communication, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution skills.

5. Able to work in and grow our agency culture, in a diverse and multicultural setting, providing trauma-informed and harm reduction services to persons of diverse backgrounds.

6. Time management and organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

7. Availability to work a flexible schedule with some evenings and weekends.

8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook. Familiarity with client services databases such as HMIS and AIRS a plus. The use of the agency Electronic Health Record database is also required.

9. Valid, unrestricted driver's license and independent means of transportation.

Responsibilities:

1. Assists the Intake & Service Coordinator with providing clients with peer support, including medical and supportive service appointments, promoting client self-advocacy and self-management, and assisting in developing social network supports.

2. Provides technology access/education to clients for telehealth.

3. Provides direct outreach in the community at Ryan White funded partnering agencies and in the community for client recruitment and coordinates with marketing staff for online social media recruitment and health education postings

4. Enter all services, progress notes, and client outcomes in an online database (Electronic Health Records – EHR) as well as in AIRS (AIDS Institute Reporting System) referrals in Unite Us within 48 hours of service.

5. Assist in coordinating services addressing various social determinants of health affecting clients. Assist with crisis intervention and referrals.

6. Ensure compliance with Article 27F HIV Confidentiality Law and HIPPA confidentiality for all interactions.

7. Model and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all clients, volunteers, and staff.

8. Supports and participates in a culture of philanthropy by recognizing that fundraising

9. Fully engage in self-care to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

10. Attend full staff meetings and exceed the required 24 hours of annual training.

11. Other duties and special projects as assigned.

The Albany Damien Center’s mission is to enhance the lives of people with HIV, mental health, and homelessness in a safe, inclusive environment. Our vision is a more equitable community, where people achieve their desired potential.

The Albany Damien Center is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from minority candidates, women, persons from our LGBTQ+ community, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and persons formerly homeless.

To Apply: Please send 1) cover letter 2) resume and 3) list of two-three professional references by e‐mail to careers@albanydamiencenter.org

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $23.00 per hour

Application Question(s):

• Do you have NYS Dept of Health AIDS Institute Peer Certification or meet the requirements for NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute Peer Certification?

Experience:

• Working with individuals with Chronic Illinesses: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Albany, NY 12208 (Required)

Work Location: In person