* Please note this position is 10-month grant position.*
Peer navigators are skilled youth development professionals who are passionate about HIV prevention, LGBTQ youth development and leadership, and health equity. The Fenway Institute is launching a new research study examining the implementation of a youth PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) peer navigation program that will be based at the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center, Fenway Health’s adolescent health clinic. Our hope is to learn more about how peer navigation may help marginalized youth who are vulnerable to HIV have access to and remain on a daily PrEP regimen. The peer navigator will be based at the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center but will do their work from a variety of locations depending on client need and request.
Reporting to the Project Director, the Youth PrEP Peer Navigator will assist young people who have recently begun taking Truvada (an approved PrEP medication) in their efforts to overcome systemic and individual barriers to daily PrEP adherence. The Peer Navigator will also play a central role in promoting the health and well-being of young LGBTQ people in our community.
Project Specific Responsibilities:
- Implement PrEP navigation services that are youth focused and culturally competent for young men who have sex with men in conjunction with the YPrEP team and project director.
- Maintain detailed records of all contacts with youth, navigation attempts, referrals made, youth medical visits, and medication refill timelines in required study case report forms.
- Build and maintain relationships with Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center medical providers and community based service providers.
- Discuss basic HIV prevention information and the importance of accessing care with youth. The Youth PrEP Peer Navigator will develop a strong rapport with youth to offer support, provide referrals, identify potential barriers and address any immediate needs to help create a seamless process for PrEP initiation and continued adherence.
- Maintain a growing navigation caseload as the study progresses, including completing required study visits with clients every three months.
- Communicate regularly with project director and study team to share up-to-date information about study progress, participant issues and issues impacting the community.
- Attend weekly meetings with study team to report on progress and express any concerns or barriers related to study implementation
- At least one year of experience (paid or volunteer) assisting in the coordination of youth health services preferred
- Exposure to and/or demonstrated commitment to learning more about social justice and health equity.
- Broad understanding of the LGBTQ community and issues specifically impacting LGBTQ Youth.
- Experience with data collection and reporting preferred
- Ability to develop collaborations with youth-serving community based organizations.
- Ability to interact in a compassionate and nonjudgmental manner with a diverse participant population at risk for HIV.
- Positive and enthusiastic style that motivates young people
- Excellent attention to detail and written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently, within a strong team environment.
- Must be willing to travel to various venues and neighborhoods in Boston and willing to work flexible days and hours to accommodate needs of the project.
Commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter and apply on our Fenway Health Career Portal - https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=1640772