Testing Specialist - Outreach & Testing

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 expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and those impacted by HIV. Kind Clinic proudly serves Texas with four vibrant locations: two in Austin, one in San Antonio, and another in Dallas plus virtual care services available to all residents across Texas. Bolstered by Waterloo Counseling Center and a passionate team of over 250 dedicated employees and volunteers, THA is at the forefront of promoting healthcare equity and accessibility throughout the state. Read more about THA here: http://texashealthaction.org.

The Testing Specialist provides HIV and STI testing, prevention education, harm reduction services, referrals, and linkage to care within clinic, outreach, and mobile testing settings. The position engages communities to increase access to HIV/STI prevention, testing, and related services while providing respectful, culturally responsive, and patient-centered support. This is a full-time, non-exempt, in-person position that may require evening and weekend hours and reports to the Testing Supervisor/Testing Operations Coordinator.

Core Functions

• Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, sexual health assessments, point-of-care results, and related testing services;
• Provide HIV/STI prevention education, counseling, and harm reduction services related to sexual health and wellness, substance use, testing, treatment, and prevention;
• Assess patient needs for medical and support services, provide referrals and linkages to appropriate care and community resources, and conduct required follow-up activities;
• Participate in clinic-based, mobile, and community testing and outreach activities to engage populations of focus and connect individuals to HIV/STI prevention, testing, and related services;
• Provide reception, laboratory, condom distribution, and other operational coverage necessary to support testing and outreach services;
• Complete required patient documentation, data entry, and program reporting accurately and within established timelines;
• Follow infection control measures and universal precautions to maintain safe testing, outreach, and program operations;
• Maintain professional, respectful, and patient-centered communication and collaborate effectively with patients, team members, other departments, community partners, and venues;
• Assist with maintaining testing, educational, harm reduction, and other supplies necessary for clinic and outreach operations;
• Participate in required training and maintain competency in HIV/STI testing, counseling, mobile testing vehicle operation, infection control, and other assigned program functions; and,
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Achieves at least 90% compliance with required documentation standards, as measured through routine HIV negative testing chart audits.
2. Achieves at least 95% compliance with required documentation standards, as measured through required HIV positive testing chart audits.
3. Meets at least 90% of required testing-session standards during routine observed testing encounters, as measured using the HIV Testing Observation Tool.
4. Maintains patient satisfaction at or above the established organizational target, as measured through applicable NPS results, while maintaining positive individual patient feedback.

Compensation

Based on the position’s duties and requirements, this role has a starting hourly rate of $22.93. The initial hourly rate will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.

Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma, GED, or other equivalent certification required.

Licensure

1. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (must be obtained prior to the first day of employment);
2. Valid Texas Driver’s License;
3. Phlebotomy certification required (may be completed within first month of hire);
4. Completion of Foundations of Counseling and Testing (may be completed within first 3 months of hire); and,
5. Complete required mobile testing vehicle training and maintain competency in the safe operation, setup, and use of the mobile testing vehicle for testing and outreach activities.

Required Experience

1. Demonstrated experience through employment, volunteer service, internships, student organizations, or other relevant activities involving HIV/STI prevention, sexual health education, public health, community outreach, or related health and human services; and,
2. Six (6) months of work or volunteer experience with marginalized communities, such as LGBTQIA+ and communities of color.

Preferred Experience

• Bilingual fluency in both English and Spanish, including knowledge of medical vocabulary;
• Bachelor’s degree in a social science or public health discipline; two-year degree with licensure and/or four years of relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree; and,
• One (1) year of experience working within a human service field, including but not limited to social work, psychology, counseling and/or public health (two (2) years of part-time work/volunteer experience may be considered in lieu of one (1) year of experience).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with b