Under the supervision of the Investigators and Project Manager, the PrEP Navigator provides ongoing care coordination, counseling, and supported referrals to HIV-negative people who inject drugs and are eligible to use PrEP for HIV prevention. The person in this position will work to empower participants to make decisions for their own health and help reduce barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence as part of a research study. This is currently a part-time role with the potential to expand to full-time.
- Provides support to research study participants who are interested in starting PrEP
- Meets with participants one-on-one to build rapport and help with problem solving and assess and improve motivation and interest in PrEP care
- Follows an intervention manual to conduct counseling sessions (training will be provided) to help participants navigate challenges with PrEP uptake and adherence
- Maintains established guidelines surrounding confidentiality, data security and monitoring, and ethical accountability in all interactions with study participants
2. Provides assistance with logistical aspects of PrEP-related care including uptake and adherence
- Provides supported referrals to PrEP and other services as needed by individual participants
- Assists participants with planning for and addressing financial and logistical challenges including insurance coverage and transportation
- Helps participants enroll in PrEP co-pay assistance or other related programs
- Reminds participants of scheduled PrEP care and intervention appointments
- Supports participants in obtaining and staying in PrEP care
3. Maintains participant files in REDcap database
- Documents notes from each manualized intervention counseling sessions and interim check-ins
- Provides feedback on best practices for implementation
- Ensures that all participant interactions are documented in a timely manner and follows detailed study protocols surrounding confidentiality, data security, and monitoring
4. Attends scheduled supervisory meetings
- Attends initial and ongoing trainings in patient navigation and motivational interviewing
- Participates in ongoing counseling supervision session
- Seeks supervision when in doubt as to programmatic, research, legal, or other issues
5. Works with the Research Assistant and Project Manager to retain research participants
- Identifies and implements strategies to maintain contact with study participants
- Attends weekly meetings with PrEP for Health study team
- Communicates with study sites and study team to improve participant recruitment and retention efforts
- Works professionally with relevant community based organizations and community members
6. Meets agency participatory expectations
- Adheres to all agency and departmental policies and procedures
- Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
- Adheres to the highest principles of patient and client confidentiality
- Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
- Attends all required meetings, in-services and professional trainings
- Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
- Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested
7. Performs other related duties as required
