Shield Project Recruiter

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Shield Project Recruiter

$56,076.80 - $81,806.40 / Posted Thru: 11-28-24

Funded Thru: 7-31-25 / Possible Extension to Funding

Location: Remote/Virtual - Must Live and Work in Michigan

Purpose: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of HIV and STI Programs (BHSP) conducts routine surveillance for HIV infection within the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is funding MDHHS to conduct the SHIELD Project (Surveillance of HIV-related barriers amongst Early and Late HIV Diagnoses) that aims to identify and recruit persons who recently received an HIV diagnosis at stage 0 or 3. The project aims to improve understanding of the individual and system barriers that contributed to prevention and testing failures, and to enhance efforts to improve outcomes in these key groups. This position is supported by a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is renewed yearly as funds are available and projects are continued.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support strategies and activities include identifying, contacting, and recruiting people who received an early or late HIV diagnosis to participate in behavioral interviews.
• Identify, locate, contact and recruit selected individuals using guidelines provided by the CDC.
• Enter data and maintain record of all attempts and/or contacts with participants using a comprehensive database.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to solicit feedback to improve recruitment strategies.
• Follow the established protocols for contacting and recruiting potential participants.
• Conduct investigative searches to obtain pertinent contact information for sampled individuals.
• Contact facilities to determine care status and/or obtain contact information for selected individuals.
• Use all methods approved by the CDC to contact individuals throughout the recruitment process.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all individuals and protect all data collected as described in the confidentiality policy of the department.
• Recruit interviewees for participation in the SHIELD qualitative and quantitative surveys.
• Communicate with CDC-contracted interviewer to discuss potential interviewees, interview dispositions, and follow-up of no-shows and referrals.
• Follow established protocols to link individuals identified as not receiving HIV care to partnering facility for reengagement. Follow-up to determine if re-engagement in care occurs.
• Provide necessary referrals for ancillary services.
• Keep records of all activities related to each individual, such as dates of contact attempts via US mail, email, phone, text, and home visits, care status, referral status, and interview status throughout the recruitment process.
• Inform and collaborate with SHIELD steering committee to provide feedback, solicit community feedback, and determine best strategies to achieve project goals.
• Meet bi-weekly to meet with special studies epidemiologist to oversee ancillary databases to track quality assurance, correct data errors, and analyzable trends.
• Communicate regularly with CDC Project Officer to discuss project status.
• Utilize Patient Education Genius (PEG) to communicate with participants. Communicate issues with IT staff and supervisor.
• Engage with community planning bodies with PC.
• Support Section and Division activities by participating in required site visits, meetings, committees, confidentiality and security training and other trainings as needed.
• Maintain relationship with agencies and healthcare facilities for recruiting and referring sampled participants to the project.
• Participate in national calls, meetings, and training as requested by CDC.
• Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education: A bachelor's degree in any human service-related field or a combination of 60+ credit hours of college education and work experience in the field of HIV.

Experience: 1 - 2 years of experience in the HIV field or working with high-risk populations. Basic computer skills, including e-mail, word processing, and a spreadsheet or a database.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Good computer skills, including e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and databases
• Excellent people skills: quickly establish rapport, listen well, and respond to questions or concerns.
• Great communication skills.
• High level of initiative and accountability.
• Self-motivated and able to handle multiple tasks at one time with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and adaptability in communicating with diverse populations.
• Good organizational skills and understanding of time management.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Behaves in an ethical and professional manner.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position will work remotely but is subject to change according to departmental policy. Occasional travel to the office located at Cadillac Place/Detroit or Edgewood/ Lansing will be required. Selected candidates must reside in the state of Michigan to be approved to work remotely or hybrid. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview. #LINKEDIN

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: Performs as a critical member of a team of professionals working to prevent and control HIV and ensuring access to and retention within care for persons in Michigan infected with HIV.

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO/AA employer that participates with e-verify.