Job Description

The Status Neutral Navigator will provide a comprehensive client-centered harm reduction and sexual health services to individuals engaged in high-risk behaviors, including substance use and sexual practices. The role involves conducting targeted outreach both in the community and through virtual platforms to connect with diverse populations, with a specific focus on groups such as people who use drugs and young gay and bisexual men. Key responsibilities include providing overdose prevention education, naloxone and safer-use supply distribution, HIV/HCV/STI counseling and testing, PrEP navigation, and non-judgmental support, while actively linking clients to essential services like medical treatment, housing, and substance use care through a trust-based, low-barrier approach.

Maintaining a valid current Driver's License and driving a 30' Mobile RV Testing Unit & smaller mobile unit is a mandatory requirement of the position. This position also requires working non traditional work hours, evenings, weekends, holidays.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES:

Reports to Supervisor of State Programs

Provide HIV and HCV Counseling, Testing, and Referrals to at-risk populations in compliance with strict standards of the Department of Health, integrating harm reduction principles and overdose prevention education into all client interactions. Conduct targeted outreach--both traditional and internet-based--to high-risk individuals, including people who use drugs, people living with HIV/AIDS, and with a focus on Young Gay and Bisexual Men. Engage individuals in their neighborhoods or venues where they typically congregate to provide comprehensive health information, education, and non-judgmental support on HIV, PrEP, and substance use harm reduction, including naloxone distribution and safer-use strategies. Assist individuals in receiving medical care for HIV infection, PrEP, substance use treatment, wound care, and other essential support services. Verify that services were accessed post-referral. Distribute harm reduction supplies, including condoms, sterile syringes, and naloxone, to persons living with HIV and persons at the highest risk of acquiring HIV or other drug-related harms. Assist with recruitment for other prevention interventions and services, including those provided by Buddies of New Jersey. Adhere to strict confidentiality procedures, the release of information, and data security. Maintain accurate and complete participant records, tracking contacts, counseling, testing, referrals, harm reduction supply distribution, and outreach performance as defined by evidence-based models, and local/state/federal entities. Communicate effectively with clients for appointments and follow-up on referrals for both medical and social support services, including housing and substance use treatment. Maintain accurate and current process, procedural, program, and inventory logs of specific outreach and testing activities, health materials, condoms/lube, naloxone, testing supplies, and the Test Kit Temperature log. Maintain and reconcile proper forms: Outreach forms; Reactive Test Result Form; Reactive Rapid Test; ID Form; testing forms; Order Form /Testing Supplies; and harm reduction distribution logs. Provide health education and support in conjunction with other Buddies of New Jersey Teams and community members. Certification in all State mandated training, including Rapid Testing Training and Overdose Prevention/Naloxone Administration. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and substance use harm reduction, prevention, outreach, and health promotion. Experience working with PLWHA, people who use drugs, and communities of color. Knowledge of specialized services for people with HIV/AIDS; substance abuse; domestic violence; and low-barrier medical care. Assess and address clients' Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding PrEP and substance use. Assessment of clients' level of risk for HIV and drug-related harms to determine appropriateness for PrEP and other harm reduction interventions. Knowledge of the potential side effects of PrEP medication(s) and the schedule of medical follow-up visits to monitor health status relative to possible side effects. Discussion of relationship and substance use situations when PrEP may no longer be appropriate. Assess clients' intentions to initiate and comply with a PrEP regimen or a harm reduction plan. Assess clients' health insurance status. Assist/refer clients with prior authorizations, insurance enrollment, and pharmaceutical company assistance as needed. Provide clients with completed prior authorization paperwork to take with them when they see the PrEP prescriber. Evaluate clients' access to primary care and harm reduction services, identify their transportation needs and assist them in developing their adherence plan. Appointment reminders using appropriate technology (texting, social media, interventions, etc.) Provide tracking and follow-up with the client and provider 90 days after initiation of PrEP or a referral to a substance use treatment service. Work collaboratively with clinical PrEP providers and community-based harm reduction and syringe service programs. Monitor and evaluate the PrEP and harm reduction programs as directed by management. Collect program data as needed and compile and report program results/indicators. Source of PrEP and harm reduction referral (partners of HIV+ clients, CBOs that serve the target population, word of mouth, private physicians, primary care clinics, STD clinics, etc.) Computer skills using Microsoft software applications (e.g. Word, Excel, social media apps). Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Organizational abilities and critical thinking skills. Logic and analytical Ability. Ability to work hands-on with limited resources, independently or in a team setting, often in non-traditional community settings. Must have a current valid Driver's License and be able to drive a 30' Mobile RV Testing Unit to provide mobile health and harm reduction services.
This position works non-traditional hours, which includes evenings weekends.

THIS POSITION WILL BE ON AN HOURLY (NON-SALARY) PAID POSITION DURING THE 90-DAY PROBATIONARY PERIOD, WHICH AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION COULD BECOME A FULL-TIME SALARY POSITION SHOULD GRANT FUNDING ALLOW IT.

Driving is a mandatory condition of employment

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $41,600.00 - $43,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Vision insurance
Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)
Language:

English, (Preferred) Spanish (Preferred)
Work Location: In person