Mobile Testing & Phlebotomy Specialist

Organizational Overview:

Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) is a multi-service public health organization dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of the homeless, drug users, sex workers, and the uninsured. PPP works to provide safe and humane alternatives to the war on drugs, working to reduce the prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis C by linking people to the health resources they need. PPP meets people where they are, providing information and access to resources with dignity and respect. Using a harm reduction approach, PPP offers low-threshold, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental services to address the health and social service needs of people in Philadelphia. PPP promotes harm reduction through mobile medical care, sterile syringe exchange, referrals to social services, and comprehensive prevention case management services.

Program Overview:

PPP is expanding its HIV services and, specifically, its mobile outreach, engagement, and field-based HIV and Hepatitis C testing and case finding to improve identification of HIV positive individuals, both newly identified as well as lost to care, and to further improve linkage to HIV primary care treatment. The Mobile Testing and Phlebotomy Specialist will work as part of a three member Mobile Testing and Linkage to Care team, embedded in other PPP mobile services, including PPP's Mobile Outreach and Overdose Prevention Vehicle, PPP's Mobile Syringe Services Program, and PPP's Homeless Outreach team. The Mobile Testing and Linkage to Care team will conduct outreach and engagement at sites, targeting People Who Use and Inject Drugs primarily, who are at risk for or living with HIV and Hepatitis C. The team will join the other 3 PPP teams on mobile service delivery 1-3 days per week. An additional 1-2 days per week will be spent conducting community-based and mobile HIV testing in Black and Latinx communities most impacted by HIV, Hepatitis C, substance use, and overdose, including neighborhoods with high rates of stimulant use. The entire Mobile Testing team will conduct point of care HIV testing with People who Use and Inject Drugs at/outside community-based partner locations, in our mobile units, and in enclosed tents in/around encampments. The entire team will provide HIV prevention education on U=U, condom use, PrEP, nPEP, and home testing, AND distribute condoms and self tests.

Position Overview:

The Mobile Testing and Phlebotomy Specialist will conduct rapid testing as well as phlebotomy for persons who test positive for HIV, as well as those for whom PrEP is indicated, expediting linkage to external HIV primary care and PrEP providers within 96 hours, or to PPP in real time. The whole team will expedite linkage to nPEP clinicians to assure initiation of medication within 72 hours of exposures. The Mobile Testing and Phlebotomy Specialist and Program Coordinator will collaborate to link persons testing HIV positive to expedited HIV care at the mobile unit, via telemedicine, or at community providers within 96 hours ensuring immediate ART initiation supported by PPP's SANA Clinic and MCM team. The whole team will participate in PDPH and PPP required training, learning collaboratives, equity, and other required activities.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure consent completion and explanation of test procedure to individuals engaged by Outreach Specialist at mobile sites Transcribe personal intake information onto the HIV Testing and Linkage to Care form Perform face to face risk assessments with testing participants, obtaining medical and sexual and substance use related risks

• Conduct confidential and anonymous HIV and HCV testing and counseling at mobile sites as assigned and as part of a mobile team
• Administer post-test counseling
• Conduct face to face harm reduction and risk prevention counseling as well as safer sex education, providing safer sex tools such as regular and multi-sue condoms, as well as counseling and education on access to and use of PrEP and PEP assemble follow-up plans for participants who test reactive for HIV and/or HCV with client and other members of support team while ensuring confidentiality Support other team members in brokering linkage to HIV primary care and PrEP/PEP Provide information and referrals, including appropriate follow-up and monitoring of related activities, and reassessment as needed Be available for off-site testing events and educational presentations as appropriate and requested in advance, including a limited number of evening and weekend events • Actively participate in team meetings and monthly staff meetings as well as Quality Management and Program Improvement meetings and audits • Adhere to Prevention Point's harm reduction approach (meeting people where they are & withholding judgment about choices they make, etc.

). Maintain the standards of accurate and complete recording and reporting of program activities, including completion of routine data entry and recording and submitting required reports and documents in a timely manner to both the Division of HIV Health as well as the Harm reduction Medical teams and enter test data in PPP's EMR in addition to Evaluation Web software

• Complete routine administrative duties including filing, shredding, collating, stocking, inventory, and other operational needs. Uphold policies and procedures for HIV and Hepatitis C testing in accordance with standards set by PPP, and the Division of HIV Health
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
• Consult with program coordinator or clinic lead to accommodate unscheduled or walk in appointment requests for services that are being provided on that day
• Input patient information and visit information into EMR for patients seen in the community as well as brick and mortar clinic
• Safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality :
• Draw and spin blood for individuals with reactive tests
• Provide additional phlebotomy as needed in the brick and mortar clinic
• Prepare patients before drawing blood
• Explain blood draw procedures and answer any questions about the process
• Draw and process blood specimens for medical testing
• Verify patient information and label blood samples properly (for Labcorp or Quest)
• Accurately update patient information in HER
• Follow all health and safety protocols and procedures to maintain sanitary work area
• Other duties as assigned by management

Minimum Qualifications and Preferred Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of individual PPP programs and staff, especially medical services, and providers.
• Must be a pro-active, self-starter and able to work autonomously.
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills and ability to problem solve complex situations.
• Dynamic, creative, flexible, and able to learn and adapt to program changes.
• Professional certification in phlebotomy from a recognized program.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Ability to draw blood from patients with minimal or no complications
• Knowledge of or experience with policies and operations that govern activities within a laboratory including safety operations
• Strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of medical terminology related to OUD, HIV, HCV, wound care and PrEP
• Prior experience working with an Electronic Medical Record and/or other electronic record keeping systems
• Knowledge of and experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health issues
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams to deliver high quality services with a health equity perspective with the goal of eliminating health disparities
• Commitment to a harm reduction philosophy including meeting people where they are and creating a safe, non-judgmental environment :
• This position is not eligible for remote work
• It is essential to be fully present conducting outreach, in the medical reception area or lab during clinic hours when not in the field
• The position will require standing, walking and working in the outdoors in variable climate conditions, up to 6-8 hours per day all year around.
• This position requires being in the community on a regular basis PPP offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental & vision insurance; short and long-term disability; life insurance; and generous paid time off benefits.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload. _ PPP is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration _ for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person