HIV Peer Advocate

Utilizing a person-driven, harm-reduction approach, the Peer Advocate is someone who lives with HIV, has learned to manage its daily challenges, and who is able to help others as a result of this experience. The Peer Advocate is responsible for providing individual and group peer support services to members of the Boston Living Center. The Peer Advocate reports to the Program Director or their designee, for support and supervision.

Location: The Boston Living Center is a drop-in day center in Boston’s Back Bay serving marginalized individuals in the community since the 80’s. The center has been helping to erase stigma and facilitate connections for its members through peer supported, congregate services, which aim to care for the whole individual, promoting stabilization and healthy connections through the lifespan.

Essential Functions:

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs’ Standards of Excellence at all times, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
• Recruit for and facilitate support groups on issues relevant to HIV/AIDS, chronic health conditions, social support and other topics relevant to membership.
• Recruit, plan and facilitate psychoeducational groups for members to help educate and increase motivation to change.
• Participates in the Peer Competency Training and understands requirements of peer work.
• Role model effective communication by promoting an ongoing dialogue about HIV-related concerns and respectfully responding to inquiries regarding services.
• Provide health education and risk reduction strategies to clients including topics such as retention in care, adherence to medication, access to testing/treatment for STIs, HCV, substance use, etc.
• Accompany members to medical or other social service appointments as needed to promote a sense of empowerment for members to become active in their own healthcare.
• Interpret medical information including helping individuals understand their lab reports, medication or other medical information.
• Collaborate with program staff to coordinate and deliver navigation services (including linkage to care) both internally and externally to medical and non-medical case managers, HIV specialists, primary care providers and others.
• Actively participate in the drop-in milieu including eating meals with members, and engaging in conversations and activities throughout the BLC.
• Outreach to new members and assist with scheduling intake appointments and new member orientation documentation in eHana system.
• Accurately report program and service participation data.
• Develop and monitor Individual Action Plans for members including regular review and revisions of plans every 6 months.
• Engage and nurture collaborative opportunities with community partners, including building relationships with contacts at relevant organizations and visiting sites both in person and through ongoing connections through phone and email.
• Participate in case conferences to talk about Members with complex needs and assist in plans to support them.
• Role model effective communication by promoting an ongoing dialogue about HIV-related concerns and respectfully responding to inquiries regarding services.
• Execute supported referrals, both internal (within Victory Programs) and external.
• Provide health education and risk reduction strategies to clients including topics such as retention in care, adherence to medication, access to testing/treatment for STIs, HCV, substance use, etc.
• Create and update bulletin boards, flyers and promotional materials for internal and external use.
• Assure that all front desk policies/procedures are being followed at all times.
• Assist in representing the BLC and VPI in the community through outreach and with funders as needed.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Participate and support the agency in program events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, rallies, walks and any additional functions.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, seminars and workshops as requested.
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested from time to time by your supervisor or their designee.

Required Qualifications:

The successful candidate is someone who has accepted their HIV diagnosis, has learned to live with HIV and manage its daily challenges, and has attained a level of personal growth and healing that gives him/her the understanding, insight and motivation to help others.

• High school diploma or equivalent, Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Ability and willingness to share personal experiences of living with HIV/AIDS to help educate, provide emotional support, and offer practical strategies to clients to work effectively with individuals of diverse race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex and drug cultures, age groups, religion, country of origin, disability and economic status.
• Excellent verbal communication skills including an ability to have open and affirming conversations.
• Ability to advocate for self and others.
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and the internet.
• Ability to advocate for self and others.
• Knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and the Practices of Harm Reduction.
• Current TB assessment and current CPR certification.
• Three strong work related references at least 2 from a supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish.
• Previous experience as a Peer Facilitator with group facilitation strongly desired.
• Previous experience in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and milieu management. Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.
• Strong organizational, writing, and communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and safe driving points of 00, 98, 99, 01, 02, or 03.

Position Type: Full Time (40 hours) Monday - Friday some evenings required. On Site.

Rate: $22.28/hr

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30 programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to all employees including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, all staff are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.