CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of the Ryan White Program Manager, the Certified Peer Support Specialist provides peer-based support, intake, linkage, retention, and care navigation services to individuals receiving or seeking services through the Infectious Diseases Clinic and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
The Certified Peer Support Specialist uses personal experience, professional peer-support training, and knowledge of HIV care and community resources to establish trusting relationships with clients and help reduce barriers to accessing and remaining engaged in medical care and supportive services.
This position serves as a key member of the multidisciplinary care team and works collaboratively with medical providers, nurses, case managers, ADAP staff, prevention/outreach personnel, and community partners. The position assists clients with understanding program eligibility and expectations, navigating healthcare and social-service systems, completing required documentation, and accessing resources that support improved health outcomes and retention in care.
The ideal candidate demonstrates compassion, cultural humility, professionalism, strong communication skills, and a commitment to empowering clients to become active participants in their healthcare.
A thorough understanding of HIV care and treatment, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services, confidentiality requirements, and the unique needs of populations disproportionately affected by HIV is essential.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Schedule and coordinate intake appointments for new and re-engaging clients and follow up with clients who cancel or miss appointments to support re-engagement in care.
2. Establish trusting, respectful, and supportive relationships with clients while helping them understand the integrated model of care and the importance of ongoing engagement with healthcare providers, case managers, and support programs.
3. Assist clients in understanding Ryan White program eligibility requirements, program expectations, available services, and required documentation.
4. Remind clients of documentation needed for medical visits, eligibility determination, recertification, and ADAP enrollment.
5. Assist clients with obtaining and organizing required documentation and navigating enrollment and recertification processes.
6. Identify barriers to care and collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team to develop appropriate strategies and referrals to address those barriers.
7. Provide culturally responsive, person-centered peer support to individuals living with HIV and others accessing HIV-related services.
8. Use lived experience, peer-support principles, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches to encourage clients to initiate and remain engaged in care.
9. Provide education and support related to HIV treatment, medication adherence, viral load suppression, prevention, healthy behaviors, self-advocacy, and available healthcare and supportive services.
10. Empower clients to develop self-advocacy skills and actively participate in decisions related to their healthcare and treatment.
11. Facilitate or assist with monthly peer support groups and other client engagement activities.
12. Assist with Client Advisory Board activities, including collecting client feedback and completing surveys designed to improve program and patient services.
13. Serve as a liaison between Prevention/Outreach staff and Infectious Diseases Clinic team members, including ADAP staff, registered nurse case managers, providers, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
14. Communicate relevant client needs and barriers to the appropriate members of the care team while maintaining strict confidentiality.
15. Assist with establishing and maintaining linkages between clients and healthcare providers, social-service organizations, community-based organizations, and other external partners.
16. Support clients in accessing resources related to healthcare, transportation, insurance/benefits, housing, food security, behavioral health, substance-use services, and other identified needs.
17. Participate in outreach, engagement, and retention activities designed to improve access to HIV care and treatment.
18. Accurately document client contacts, services, referrals, and follow-up activities in the electronic medical record (EMR) and other approved tracking systems.
19. Complete required data entry, document scanning, eligibility documentation, and updates within NextGen, EMA, and other applicable systems.
20. Track client engagement and retention activities and communicate unresolved barriers to the appropriate care team members.
21. Prepare and submit monthly intake, engagement, and retention reports in a timely and accurate manner.
22. Participate in quality-improvement activities and use program data and client feedback to identify opportunities for improving access, engagement, retention, and patient experience.
23. Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with organizational policies, Ryan White program requirements, HIPAA, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
1. Knowledge of HIV care and treatment principles, HIV prevention, treatment adherence, viral load suppression, and the unique needs of individuals and communities disproportionately affected by HIV.
2. Understanding of peer support principles and the ability to use lived experience appropriately and professionally to support and empower clients.
3. Knowledge of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services, ADAP, community resources, and healthcare and social-service systems.
4. Strong interpersonal, communication, active-listening, and relationship-building skills.
5. Cultural humility and sensitivity when working with diverse populations and individuals experiencing healthcare and social-service barriers.
6. Ability to establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, maintain professional boundaries, and build trust with clients.
7. Knowledge of motivational interviewing, strengths-based approaches, trauma-informed care, and other engagement strategies.
8. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive health and personal information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
9. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines.
10. Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary, team-based care environment.
11. Proficiency with electronic medical records, data-tracking systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and other computer applications.
12. Ability to collect, document, track, and report program information accurately for quality improvement and program evaluation.
13. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to identify barriers to care and assist clients in developing practical solutions.
14. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clinic staff, community organizations, partner agencies, and other stakeholders.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Current certification or be qualified to get certification as a Peer Support Specialist, Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Peer Counselor, or comparable state-recognized peer-support credential.
• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate or bachelor's degree in Community Health, Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Behavioral Health, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals or communities disproportionately affected by HIV or other health disparities.
• Experience providing peer support, HIV counseling, targeted/expanded testing, outreach, referral, linkage to care, retention services, case management support, or health navigation.
• Experience working with individuals who may face barriers to healthcare, including stigma, transportation challenges, housing instability, substance use, behavioral health concerns, or lack of insurance.
• Knowledge of HIV confidentiality requirements, HIPAA, and appropriate handling of sensitive health information.
• Knowledge of community-based resources and the ability to make appropriate referrals and linkages.
• Familiarity with public health program implementation, documentation, data collection, and program evaluation.
• Knowledge and practical application of motivational interviewing or other evidence-based engagement techniques.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic medical record/database systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Lived experience with HIV or experience as a member of a community disproportionately affected by HIV strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Community Health, Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
• Experience working within a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
• Experience with ADAP enrollment or recertification processes.
• Experience facilitating peer support groups or client advisory boards.
• Phlebotomy certification.
• Experience with NextGen, EMA, or similar electronic medical record and program-tracking systems.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is primarily performed in an administrative and medical office/clinic environment. The position may involve interaction with individuals experiencing health, social, behavioral, or economic challenges and may require working in a fast-paced environment.
The position may involve potential exposure to communicable diseases, bodily fluids, and other substances commonly encountered in a healthcare setting. Appropriate infection-control and safety procedures must be followed at all times.
The position may occasionally require working under stressful circumstances, responding to urgent client needs, participating in community outreach, or working outside of standard business hours for special programs or events.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Peer Advocacy | Client Engagement | HIV Care Navigation | Motivational Interviewing | Health Education | Care Retention | Cultural Humility | Confidentiality | Community Resource Navigation | Communication | Teamwork | Documentation | Quality Improvement | Trauma-Informed Support