REGIONAL PREP NAVIGATOR - CORE CENTER

Job Description - REGIONAL PREP NAVIGATOR - CORE CENTER (00139281)

Job Description

REGIONAL PREP NAVIGATOR - CORE CENTER

Requisition ID

: 00139281

Job Posting

: Jul 23, 2026, 4:30:08 PM

Closing Date

: Aug 6, 2026, 11:59:00 PM Full-time Shift Start Time: 8:00 A.M. Shift End Time: 4:00 P.M.

Collective Bargaining Unit: None Posting Salary: $45,796-$48,136 yearly

Organization

: Health and Hospital Systems

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on Cook County Health (CCH) policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at CCH. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

Location: Department of Public Health - CORE Center

Shift: 8AM - 4PM

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Regional PrEP Navigator (Navigator) will provide PrEP services at CORE Center, Austin Health Center, Prieto Health Center, North Riverside Health Center, Belmont Cragin Health Center, Arlington Heights Health Center and any other Cook County Health Ambulatory Clinic where PrEP Services are offered. The Navigator will assess individual and group health education needs in clinics and community settings, performing pre and post-test STI/HIV counseling, prevention and risk. The Navigator will identify patients in clinic and community who are vulnerable to HIV and assesses for PrEP, provides PrEP Navigation, refers eligible PrEP candidates to CCH/CCHIP PrEP clinic for services and benefits. Assess individuals' needs related to their social determinants of health and refers to appropriate CCHIP services during initial PrEP care visits. Evaluates client health education sessions as related to PrEP adherence, HIV prevention and risk reduction. Develops, implements, and provides client centered-level health education. Develops, implements and provides patient/participants education in related topics (i.e., PrEP, STIs, hepatitis C, medication adherence, etc.). Participates in all administrative meetings and staff development meetings, representing PrEP Health Education and Prevention issues, activities, goals, and outcomes. This is a grant-funded position.

Typical Duties

• Provides patient centered HIV counseling and testing, PrEP education, assessment, and referrals to CCHIP Clinic and throughout the Cook County Health facilities and community events as necessary.
• Performs pre and post HIV counseling and testing with adults, adolescents, children, and special populations.
• Provides pre-test counseling and prevention education at various locations within CCH/CCHIP sites and community events.
• Performs rapid HIV testing through finger stick and/or mouth swab.
• Assesses participants/patients for PrEP Services following up CDC guidelines
• Collects and enter data on HIV testing, PrEP high-risk assessments and PrEP enrollments for PrEP eligible.
• Ensures PrEP eligible participants' follow-up contacts (phone calls, emails, texts), for linkage, appointments, and referrals to PrEP services to the CCHIP sites or any CCH site that offers PrEP services.
• Manages PrEP referrals from Cerner Scheduling Queue.
• Provides test results, post-test counseling and assesses client risk behaviors.
• Refers/links HIV positive patients to desired CCHIP site for HIV medical care and other prevention services as needed and schedule future appointments as necessary.
• Enters HIV counseling and testing, PrEP assessment, initiation and related activities into Cerner and into an excel spreadsheet on a daily basis.
• Generates monthly report of all activities related to HIV testing, Outreach, PrEP assessments and referrals
• Provides patient Centered HIV risk reduction counseling and education on PrEP adherence to patients who want to initiate PrEP or patients who are already receiving PrEP services at a CCHIP or other CCH site.
• Provides client centered health education, offering risk reduction strategies and appropriate referrals.
• Accompanies patients through their PrEP initiation visit to orient them to the available services and how to access them.
• Develops client level risk reductions plans and health education/PrEP adherence goals.
• Refers patients to the benefits Department for Insurance (CountyCare and/or CareLink)
• Fills out Medication Assistance Program (MAP) form for new patients and follows up on patients with documentation needed to complete application. Once documentation is completed submits package for approval.
• Follows up with submitted application and contacts patient with proof of approval to ensure successful PrEP initiation.
• Refers PrEP participants to other disciplines as needed (Mental Health, Substance use, Social Services, benefits, etc).
• Collects and enters data in Cerner and program databases in a timely matter.
• Submits monthly reports to the West side Regional PrEP Coordinator in a timely manner.
• Provides group-level health education trainings as needed.
• Provides comprehensive ongoing PrEP navigation services for individuals vulnerable to HIV.
• Develops professional relationships with patients who agree to PrEP services and assists in follow-ups, linkage to primary care and other supportive services.
• Identifies barriers affecting adherence to treatment plans.
• Provides medication and treatment adherence counseling.
• Enrolls PrEP patients into the Appointment and Medication Adherence (AMA) text message reminder system.
• Develops care coordination plans in conjunction with Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) team.
• Reminds patients of appointments and addresses barriers to care such as childcare, transportation, return to work/school slips, etc.
• Arranges for transportation to medical and other supportive service appointments
• Provides follow-up assistance for patients' medical and supportive services visits.
• Communicates with the CCHIP Regional PrEP Coordinator about individuals' needs and concerns.
• Attends all PrEP clinic sessions and meetings as assigned.
• Provides outreach and recruitment; Provide patient, provider, and community education on CCHIP's PrEP services and related topics.
• Initiates immediate contact with patients/participants who are interested in PrEP to establish rapport and assist with linkage to ongoing PrEP services; completes required assessment and/or intake information for follow-ups and enters into required database(s).
• Conducts outreach to assess HIV vulnerable population needs in our communities, recruit PrEP Candidates
• Collaborates with CCHIP Regional Manager of Community Outreach with scheduled community events providing HIV testing, PrEP education, assessments, and referrals to different CCHIP sites or any other CCH site that provides PrEP Services.
• Provides public HIV education, offering risk reduction strategies including PrEP and provide appropriate referrals.
• Provides HIV prevention counseling training, including but not limited to: HIV counseling training, PrEP education and early intervention to health care providers and other professionals.
• Participates as an active member of team to develop and implement community education on accessibility to CCHIP PrEP services to the most HIV vulnerable communities.
• Documentation of all face to face, phone calls, and other encounters related to HIV testing and PrEP Services in the EMR (Electronic Medical Record) and other databases provided by funder.
• Documents all client-related activities, referrals including approvals and denials should be in EMR and database.
• Documents all data Entry and paperwork will be submitted in compliance with organization's policies.
• Documents all transportation, food vouchers, day passes, and cab vouchers must be properly documented including client's signature of receipt.
• Assists with development of peer educators
• Trains and mentors' members of the CCHIP peer program and other high-risk persons to become PrEP peer educators and navigators.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or G.E.D. certificate is required (must provide proof at time of interview).
• Two (2) years'' experience as an HIV and PrEP related counselor or educator is required.
• Valid Driver's License and Insurance or other means of reliable transportation is required (must provide proof at time of interview)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft applications and internet-based programs
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish strong working relationships
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and meet the needs of patients and families
• Ability to work in a team-based environment to accomplish goals and objectives
• Ability to demonstrate respect and sensitivity for cultural diversity in CCH work force and patient population
• Ability to critically think, problem solve and make independent decisions supporting the authorization process, including interactions with payer representative, physicians, and hospital case managers
• Ability to work with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and sexual diversity.

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, "Typical Duties" are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, "Are you a Military Veteran?"
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver's License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER'S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

• Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U. S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents bust be presented at time of interview.
• Please note all offers of Employment are contingent upon the following conditions: satisfactory professional & employment references, healthcare and criminal background checks, appropriate licensure/certifications and the successful completion of a physical and pre-employment drug screen.
• CCHHS is strictly prohibited from conditioning, basing or knowingly prejudicing or affecting any term or aspect of County employment or hiring upon or because of any political reason or factor.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH & HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER