POSITION SUMMARY: The Linkage to Care Specialist provides advanced outreach, engagement, and support to individuals newly diagnosed with HIV, facilitating timely linkage to care. This role prioritizes proactive community outreach and support for clients at the highest risk of falling out of care, including those recently released from correctional settings, experiencing housing instability, or disconnected from medical services.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of clients' needs, complete intake and screening, and identify potential barriers to entering HIV medical care and other support services.
- Deliver linkage services, including referral, eligibility determination, assessment, and consumer needs evaluations.
- Develop and implement outreach strategies to locate hard-to-reach clients, including those released from correctional facilities or experiencing homelessness.
- Advocate for and coordinate access to healthcare and social services, ensuring HIV clients are effectively linked to care.
- Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary medical care team to support continuity and quality of care.
- Ensure compliance with DHS Linkage to Care Program standards.
- Prepare presentations on the Linkage program for internal use and to community organizations and planning bodies to facilitate strategic partnerships for patient referrals.
- Establish and maintain relationships with case managers, HIV testing agencies, community-based organizations, and other referral sources.
- Demonstrates proficiency in the use of electronic medical record (EMR).
- Participates in training to enhance knowledge of STDs, HIV care, and outreach best practices.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Education: Preferred - bachelor's degree in public health, Psychology, Social Work, or related field; five to six years' health program-related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent knowledge of HIV, including prevention and transmission.
- Experience: Previous field-based experience with post-incarcerated populations.
- Expertise: Excellent clinical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills are a must. Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Effective organizational skills and computer literacy are crucial. Ability to be self-governed and to work with diverse constituencies within the community, including health care professionals, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies. Must be willing to travel locally and out of state. A valid driver's license and a reliable insured vehicle are required.
- Language: Comprehend and use basic language, either written or spoken, to communicate information and ideals.
- Hours of Work: May vary based on organizational needs.
- Travel: May vary based on organizational needs.
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Milwaukee Health Services
37368-56052
Jul 23, 2025