HIV Client Advocate

Primary Purpose Assesses, plans, implements and coordinates care for people living with HIV to assist, serve and identify their medical and psychosocial needs for linkage and retention in to care. MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS Education - High Diploma or equivalent. Experience - One year of terminal illness related care or counseling experience required.

Skills or Special Abilities

• May be required to be bi-lingual.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with all cultural, ethnic, national and socio-economic levels.
• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.
• Must demonstrate a medical knowledge of disease process; general knowledge of human services; and be culturally sensitive.

Responsibilities Assists, educates and guides HIV infected patients, ensuring they are aware and informed of Parkland and community service programs to support patients and their families. Serves as a resource for newly diagnosed and follow up cases to provide HIV counseling and refer patient to psychosocial agencies. Assists with patients' needs outside the clinic setting, as a resource to clients as well as their families by providing information and recommendations on non-health care issues that require answers.

Serves as a resource to the medical staff by providing timely and accurate information in support of client needs. Serves as liaison and patient advocate to reduce patient conflicts as well as assist their stated and unstated needs. Maintains medical knowledge of HIV infection issues and new developments in the care of patients with HIV infection.

Maintains and develops working relationships between patients and healthcare team members. Represents client advocacy in case conferencing sessions. Assists with patient group sessions as assigned.