Position Purpose

The Prevention Specialist is responsible for providing anonymous and confidential counseling and testing with high-risk individuals for HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), where applicable. In addition, this position will provide prevention education services, needle exchange and outreach to individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID).

This Prevention Specialist position is responsible for providing the full array of Prevention Services, with a specialized focus on HCV testing for PWID, baby boomers and veterans.

Scope of Responsibilities

The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) is one of the nation’s largest providers of HIV prevention, care and treatment services with a budget approaching $100 million and more than 225 employees. The unique, nationally recognized ARCW HIV Medical Home model of care assures that everyone with HIV has access to medical, dental, mental health and social services and provides the best opportunity for patients to achieve high quality health outcomes. ARCW also provides aggressive HIV prevention services to men who have sex with men, injection drug users and others at the highest risk for HIV infection.

ARCW operates in the states of Wisconsin and Colorado, embraces a Market Culture to increase access to care, enhance quality outcomes, and achieve and surpass financial performance expectations. ARCW has an aggressive plan to expand into additional states.


Job Description

Conduct confidential and anonymous HIV, HCV, syphilis and STI testing (where applicable) counseling, testing and referral (CTR), in accordance with state guidelines, with individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors.

Establish and implement CTR sites targeting MSM and PWID.

Record all contacts and activities in Service Point within 72 hours.

Complete and submit all testing information in accordance with state policy (e.g., completion of appropriate testing forms, entering tests into web-based reporting system).

Distribute approved education materials, safer sex materials and safer injection supplies to persons engaging in high-risk behaviors.

Conduct one-on-one educational sessions and assessments with clients, to include referrals for internal and external services (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment, housing, employment).

Perform regular outreach to bars, barber shops, treatment and recovery centers, and other venues frequented by MSM and PWID to distribute condoms and educational materials, provide educational programming, provide CTR, and engage in conversations about HIV and other health-related topics.

Actively plan and participate in community events, such as Pride Fest, that offer the ability to provide effective prevention outreach to MSM and PWID.

Provide PrEP referrals to ARCW PrEP Navigator and/or clinic.

Provide service delivery statistics on a monthly basis and develop public and private grant reports as required.

Network with Prevention Specialists located in other ARCW offices, other community-based organizations and providers to develop effective prevention strategies targeted to MSM and PWID.

Attend all meetings and trainings as assigned by Associate Director and/or ARCW leadership.

Serve as a member of ARCW staff offering an array of services (e.g., CTR, condom distribution, needle exchange, assisting case management clients, providing food pantry services) in one or many locations (e.g., another ARCW location, satellite site).

Participate in daily activities and functions that help maintain overall ARCW operations, as well as Prevention Services.

Regularly report to the Associate Director on all activities through biweekly personal management interviews (PMI).

Implement special projects and perform other duties as assigned.