Testing Specialist Jobs

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 Kind Clinic, Waterloo Counseling Center, and TeleKind (telemedicine services). 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, risk assessment, and deliver results.

How you describe your skills:

• You consistently meet or beat deadlines in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment.
• You like to plan, but you are ok with plans changing and can effectively help others manage change.
• You like being out in the community and not at a desk.
• 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 are able to organize daily workload by priorities.
• Listening is one of your key strengths.
• You value great benefits and a mission driven work culture.
• You are adaptable and able to manage change.
• You have the ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on a regular basis.
• You have a passion and connection to the communities we serve.
• You understand when it is prudent to seek outside expertise.
• You are able to manage highly confidential information and situations with the utmost discretion.
• You "love" what you do.
• You are the model of the organization’s values and people can readily point to you as an example of how to "be".
• You balance People and Process.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• You have great attention to detail while able to see the bigger picture.
• Your friends describe your personality as "positively contagious".

Compensation
Based on job duties and requirements, this position is placed in salary band 38 with a rate range of $14.93 - 21.65 per hour. Initial placement within this range will be based on hired candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.
Requirements
Your previous work life and education must include:

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

Your previous work life and education would ideally include:

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

Benefits

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