Testing Specialist (Central/North Austin)

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community-informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment, with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and those impacted by HIV. THA's programs include the Kind Clinics and Waterloo Counseling Center. Read more about THA here: http://texashealthaction.org.

Texas Health Action is seeking a Testing Specialist to join the Outreach & Testing team in providing safe, confidential HIV and STI testing in Austin and the surrounding community. This is a full-time, non-exempt position requiring 40 hours a week with some night and weekend hours.

What you would do:

• Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, risk assessment, and deliver results.
• Educate individuals and groups about HIV and antibody testing, STI testing and treatments, & HIV and STI prevention education and counseling.
• Assist in assessing need to refer clients to medical providers and support services, linking clients to appropriate community resources, and conducting follow-up activities.
• Provide harm reduction counseling around drug use and sexual wellness and health.
• Utilize and promote infection control measures and universal precautions to maintain high quality of health and safety during outreach events.
• Participate in special testing and outreach events in community settings, public sex environments, online, as well as other venues to reach populations of focus including: MSM, Spanish-speaking communities, communities of color, transgender and gender non-binary individuals, sex workers, individuals without a home, and persons who inject drugs to recruit into HIV and STI prevention programs, testing, and services.
• Maintain a system of confidentiality according to clinic’s policies and procedures and HIPAA guidelines.

How you describe your skills:

• Listening is one of your key strengths.
• You are able to manage highly confidential information and situations with the utmost discretion.
• You are the model of the organization’s values and people can readily point to you as an example of how to "be".
• You "love" what you do.
• You like to plan, but you are ok with plans changing and can effectively help others manage change.

• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• You consistently meet or beat deadlines in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment.
• You are able to organize daily workload by priorities.
• You are adaptable and able to manage change.
• You have the ability to perform physical tasks related to office administration (such as seeing, sitting, typing, standing, walking, turning, reaching, bending, stooping, and turning during the course of the day).
• You have the ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.

• You have great attention to detail while able to see the bigger picture.
• You have a passion and connection to the communities we serve.

• You understand when it is prudent to seek outside expertise.
• Your friends describe your personality as "positively contagious".
• You balance People and Process.
• You like being out in the community and not at a desk.
• You value great benefits and a mission driven work culture.

Compensation

Based on job duties and requirements, this position has an hourly rate starting at $21.00-$22.00 per hour (non-exempt). Initial placemen will be based on hired candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Your previous work life and education must include:

• High school diploma or GED
• Strong understanding of HIV and STI prevention issues and how they affect or influence service delivery
• Experience working successfully with ethnic, racial, economic, and sexually diverse populations.
• Completion of Foundations of Counseling and Testing (may complete within first 3 months of hire)
• Phlebotomy certification (may complete within first 3 months of hire)

Your previous work life and education would ideally include:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 2 years of previous experience conducting HIV screenings, including 1 year of direct HIV testing
• Experience in community health settings
• Familiarity and experience using a trauma-informed approach to working with individuals
• Experience and comfort in discussing issues related to substance use, harm reduction, homelessness, mental health, gender care and LGBTQIA+ communities
• Previous experience with volunteer recruitment, training, and management/oversight
• Fluent in both Spanish and English, spoken and written

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403b) + Employer Match after 6 months of employment
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Holidays)
• Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
• Training & Development