What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Social Services Technician position at Nash County, NC?
General Statement of Duties
A. Primary Purpose of Position:
The primary purpose of this position is to identify individuals at risk for HIV/AIDS and other STDs within substance abuse treatment facilities and through community outreach. This employee will be facilitating group and individual HIV/AIDS and STDs education, pre- and post-counseling, HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis venipuncture blood testing, case follow-up and referrals.
Work Schedule:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend hours are often necessary to accommodate community needs.
Essential Duties and Tasks
A. Description of Responsibilities and Duties:
70% Provide HIV/AIDS education to individual or groups in substance abuse treatment centers and through community outreach.
Provide HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis pre-counseling and testing, including blood draws (venipuncture) at nontraditional community sites that include substance abuse treatment centers.
Transport collected blood specimens to the health department laboratory.
Complete all HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis testing forms that include: encounter forms, lab forms, confidentiality forms, and instruct clients on appropriate areas for signatures.
Enroll all new clients in health department medical records systems.
Utilize state lab reporting system to access client HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis results.
Arrange site location to provide negative and positive HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis follow-up results.
Provide post HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis counseling to individuals tested for HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis infection.
Communicate positive and negative HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis test results and provide appropriate emotional support.
Follow-up with clients up to 15 days after results are received from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health to provide results to them.
Inform the STD Nurse Coordinator of all new HIV-positive clients for the health department to complete state reporting requirements.
Make referrals to HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C case management organizations and other medical HIV/Hepatitis C treatment agencies as needed.
Distribute STD/HIV literature and brochures to clients in substance abuse treatment centers and through community outreach.
Counsel clients on the proper use of condoms in substance abuse treatment centers and through community outreach.
Document contacts and activity as specified by the agency’s policy and procedures.
Contact state disease intervention specialist to assist with giving seropositive results and assist with identifying contacts to HIV/Hepatitis C positive, and syphilis-positive clients.
Work with the HIV/STD prevention team to identify and build relationships with key persons in high-risk communities to develop outreach and test sites.
15% Provide the identified communities resource information regarding local health department services through community outreach.
Provide case-finding services throughout county by going to community locations such as health fairs and community events.
Conduct brief interviews with individuals in identified communities to inform them of public health services.
Refer individuals to appropriate resources and follow up on these referrals as appropriate.
Document all contacts and activities as specified by the agency’s policy and procedures.
10% Identify informal or natural leaders within each identified community who are knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and encourage them to get involved in AIDS initiatives and coalition.
Work with supervisor in program development and training of community groups in HIV/AIDS education.
Assist in the planning, developing and implementation of World AIDS Day activities, National HIV Testing Day activities and other special HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis outreach events.
Train and serve as a backup phlebotomist for the clinical laboratory
5% Other duties as assigned.
II. B. Other Position Characteristics:
Accuracy Required in Work: The employee will need to: identify individuals at risk for HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis infection; (1) to provide accurate information to reduce the risk of infection or co-infecting partners; (2) perform accurate venipuncture HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis testing; provide HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis antibodies results from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services State Laboratory of Public Health that requires a systematic approach in accurately matching the numbered specimen and patient information; and (3) refer seropositive clients to appropriate medical assistance for continued care.
Consequences of Error: Inaccurate HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis test results may lead to emotional trauma due to not providing clients accurate results. Also, inaccurate information may result in the delay of care/service for clients. Physical trauma to the client could result from improper technique.
Instruction Provided to Employee: The employee will receive specific instructions on what locations to offer HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis education, counseling and testing, as well as type of services to promote in community outreach.
Guides, Regulations, Policies and References used by Employee:
North Carolina STD/HIV Prevention and Testing and Counseling Guidelines; Nash County Health Department Policy and Procedure Manual STD/HIV Guidelines.
Supervision Received by Employee: The employee will be supervised by the Deputy Health Director. Daily contact will be required to ensure that program objectives are met.
Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts: This position will require frequent contact with numerous individuals in substance abuse treatment centers and individuals or groups within the targeted communities. Their contacts will be identified through substance abuse treatment centers and spontaneous individuals from day-to-day community outreach.
Physical Effort: The employee will be required to transport and/or carry a tote bag at least 20 pounds of supplies, including brochures and HIV testing supplies, to substance abuse treatment centers. The employee will also travel throughout the community providing HIV/STD information and testing to individuals at risk for infection with supplies.
Work Environment and Conditions: The position requires working in substance abuse treatment centers, and outside the Health Department within the community where other at-risk populations may be found. The employee will be required to work regardless of weather conditions unless such conditions make travel impossible or dangerous.
Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used: The employee must provide venipuncture blood specimen collection. The employee will need to be able to drive a car. The employee will need to provide his or her own reliable transportation for work and will be reimbursed mileage at the county rate.
Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills: The employee must be very attentive to the client when providing HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis testing, which must be located in a private room or location for confidentiality. The employee will be required to accurately and skillfully perform venipuncture blood specimen collection using the proper technique. The employee must be observant of his or her surroundings to ensure they are in safe surroundings, particularly during community outreach.
Safety for Others: Occasionally the employee may need to transport a client(s) to an agency for service. They must observe safe driving rules.
Dynamics of Work: The employee will be in contact with numerous individuals. These individuals may have multiple problems characterized by complications of mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, retardation, child abuse, etc. The employee must be willing to interact in a professional manner with all types of people, including those who do not share their personal values or lifestyle behaviors.
Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
The employee must have strong knowledge of or be willing to be trained regarding HIV/STD risk factors, modes of transmission, and prevention through proper safer sex practices. The employee must understand, or be willing to be trained to provide information to diverse population groups. The employee must have or be willing to acquire a basic knowledge of different kinds of substance abuse to educate clients on reducing the risk of HIV infection. Attend North Carolina HIV/AIDS pre- and post-counseling training and state phlebotomy training for HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis specimen collection. The employee must be familiar with or be willing to learn about this community and the residents. He/she must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently in substance abuse treatment centers and the community.
Desirable Education and Experience
Required Minimum Training:
Demonstrated or be willing to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities in community health education/outreach and phlebotomy certificate. The health department will be responsible for getting the employee trained in HIV/Hepatitis C/Syphilis specimen collection.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with good driving record. Proof of rubella vaccine or immunity. Must have a reliable personal vehicle for use at work. (Will be reimbursed mileage at the county rate)
