HIV Linkage to Care Specialist

Position Description:

Every great life-changing discovery begins the same way—with new knowledge. It can change everything, from a single life to the future of entire communities. That’s why academic medicine, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge, is at the center of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).

In the role of HIV Linkage to Care Specialist you will provide intensive outreach and linkage to care case management services to persons living with HIV who are newly diagnosed, at risk of falling out of HIV medical care, or recently released from incarceration. Services provided will include assessments, service plan development, coordination of medical care, and referrals to community agencies for additional services. Work will take place in community-based clinic settings, outpatient clinics, and hospital settings.

Primary Functions

• Responsible for supporting people who are newly diagnosed with HIV, out of care, or released from incarceration.
• Work in partnership with clinics and HIV testing sites to provide notification of positive HIV test results for patients tested in these settings.
• Collaborate with community partners providing public health support with the goal of reducing new HIV diagnoses in Milwaukee and surrounding counties.
• Work in support of, and in advocacy for, LGBTQ+ community members.
• Provide intensive linkage to care case management services to patients referred to the Linkage to Care Program. Complete intake and assessment. Develop and execute appropriate service plans, care coordination, prevention, and health literacy education. 
• Assume responsibility for coordinating linkage to outpatient care based on patient insurance status and medical need, working in compliance with State of Wisconsin Linkage to Care practice standards.
• Provide intensive education regarding medical treatment for HIV and prevention of HIV transmission.
• Maintain detailed and confidential medical records in accordance with established protocols.
• Effectively and efficiently negotiate healthcare and social service systems and collaborate with community partners, medical providers, medical case management staff and partner services to support retention in care.
• Serve on a multidisciplinary medical care team, communicating with team members to ensure comprehensive and quality wrap-around support.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Familiarity with HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Experience with case management practices such as assessment and service plan development. Comfort in working in both a clinic and community setting. Strong interpersonal and de-escalation skills. Experience working in collaborating with a multidisciplinary care team. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Fluency in health insurance systems and navigating health care enrollment. Experience documenting in Electronic Medical Record systems. Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and attentiveness to detail required. Ability to manage several high acuity events at one time. Advanced skills unique to HIV care are supported through on the job training.

Preferred Schedule:
Full-time role with expectations for coverage during core business hours and flexibility required as necessary to accommodate business needs.

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted on equivalent basis

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 1-3 years in community support setting 
• Valid Wisconsin Driver’s License

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Social Work, or another related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 or more years working with HIV Care, Prevention, or other related public health field.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.                                             

Certification:

• Within first year of hire: Motivational Interviewing, Counseling Testing and Referral required within the first year of hire, provided by department.

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Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc. 

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers  

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area.  MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine.  MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion . 

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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