Overview
Linkage Specialist – Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy
“Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career”
This is a grant funded position, through 2/28/2025 with possibility of extension
The Maximum payable salary is $58,000.
This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity consideration included an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirement for the job.
This role is on-site 5 days a week, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
POSITION SUMMARY
The Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Linkage Specialist will work in a clinical setting with individuals who have tested positive for HIV, who would benefit from assistance in navigating the healthcare systems and understanding the importance of medication adherence to achieve viral suppression. The incumbent possesses the basic knowledge of disease transmission, an understanding of viral suppression and Undetectable = Un-transmittable (U=U) and has an extensive knowledge of community agencies and resources.
The Rapid ART Linkage Specialist works one-on-one with individuals primarily in a clinical setting, identifies client needs, develops strategies with the client to address those needs, and advocates for the client during interactions with healthcare providers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Educates clients on U=U and the importance of achieving viral suppression.
Assist clients with developing a plan for medication adherence
Facilitates communication between the patient, family members and healthcare provider to ensure patient satisfaction and quality of care as needed.
Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations
Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services
Arranges for and ensure testing, treatment as needed
Documents client interactions using an electronic medical records system
Provides monthly reports of activities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Two years of related public health experience
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes
Licenses and Certifications: Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License. Must obtain and maintain a valid Mecklenburg County Vehicle Operator’s Permit.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with motivational interviewing
Bilingual (English and Spanish)
History of working with diverse populations
History of working with clients who may experience low health literacy
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public health
Local resources and services
The disease concept of addiction, stages of alcoholism and drug addiction
Person-centered planning.
Skilled in:
Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software
Abilities:
Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Collaboration – Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
Leveraging Diversity – Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals.
Patient Education/Health Promotion – Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job. May work irregular hours. May be subject to outdoor weather conditions.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or
working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request.
Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions
may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
