Peer Advocate
Posted on: April 19, 2013Posted by: BABES Network - YWCA
DESCRIPTION
BABES Network - YWCA is a peer leadership program for women and families affected by HIV, a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. BABES promotes self-empowerment, reduces isolation, enhances quality of life and serves the needs of women living with HIV and their families through peer support, advocacy, education and outreach.
Operating on the concept that HIV positive women are uniquely qualified to understand and support one another, BABES Network's HIV positive Peer Advocates support our mission by helping other HIV positive women move into positions of leadership. They provide peer mentorship and education to other HIV positive women, and recruit women for events and retreats. Peer Advocates may also perform community outreach and prevention education at schools, treatment centers, shelters, prisons, churches, businesses and other groups.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Engage HIV+ members in conversations about treatment adherence, medical care, support
Support healthy behaviors and attitudes among BABES' multi-cultural membership with active listening, strength-based counsel, education and modeling
Respond to provider referrals and self-referred women to provide welcoming service entry point for newly diagnosed or those re-entering the care system
Facilitate support groups, events and retreats.
Visit members in the hospital or at home as prearranged with supervisor.
Work with co-workers to develop an effective team to fulfill BABES Network mission.
Provide resources and referrals to women living with HIV/AIDS including food, housing and transportation assistance, medical care and case management
Stay up-to-date on medical developments related to HIV and changes to AIDS services
Assist other staff members with community outreach, volunteer management, newsletter production and fund-raising activities
Attend trainings to maintain proficiency in active listening, peer advocacy, medical treatment, de-escalation, other community services, etc.
Perform community outreach and prevention education at schools, treatment centers, shelters, prisons, churches, businesses and other groups as requested by supervisor
Keep accurate records of services provided by entering all communications and updated information in CareWare database
Achieve contact goals for one-on-one peer counseling via phone and in person
Correspondence, staff meetings, data entry, trainings and other administrative functions
Meet regularly with Program Manager to assess performance and adjust workload
Provide a welcoming, calm and courteous presence in the office and on the phones
Help keep the kitchen and other common spaces clean and orderly
Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures
Continuing search for understanding of racial, gender and class equity
Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Work alongside volunteers, where applicable
Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background
Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
Bachelor's degree or equivalent education/work experience
One year or more experience living with HIV/AIDS
One year or more experience with motivational interviewing and/or health education preferred
Ability to discuss medical information including sexual history and sexual practices and other information that may be graphic in nature
One or more years experience assisting with trainings, leadership development and/or public speaking
One year or more experience providing referrals to medical and support services for HIV positive people in Washington State
Two years or more experience working with staff and clients from a variety of racial, cultural and economic backgrounds including people experiencing homelessness, living with HIV/AIDS or mental illness
Two years or more experience using computer skills, including but not limited to, Microsoft Word and Outlook
One year or more experience with data entry preferred
Knowledge of and sensitivity towards issues affecting women living with HIV/AIDS
Experience working with the African American and African communities, understanding of their culture
Motivational Interviewing preferred
Must be an HIV+ woman
English fluency required, Spanish or other language proficiency a plus
Willingness to speak publicly about experience as an HIV positive woman to a variety of audiences including youth, incarcerated women, church groups and shelters
Ability to understand and maintain strict confidentiality
Ability to represent the program to health care providers, multicultural community groups, media outlets and women who are at-risk for HIV infection, newly diagnosed and/or previously underserved
Ability to set healthy boundaries
Good verbal and written communication skills
Core competencies expected: Achievement, Continuous learning, Customer service, Flexibility, Fostering Diversity, Interpersonal Skills, Leading and Developing others, Professionalism, Reliability, Social justice advocacy, Specialized knowledge and Stress management
Flexibility and ability to multi-task
Willingness to learn new skills
Women of color strongly encouraged to apply
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this position, the employee:
Must be able to bend and stretch and be able to lift items up to 20 pounds
Continuously uses hands and wrists, fingering, handling, grasping and reaching in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
Frequently uses speech, hearing, and sight abilities in exchanging information with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
Occasionally sits for extended periods while performing desktop activities
Occasionally stands and walks in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings
Indoor office environment
Occasional local travel to multiple locations for off-site meetings
HOURS & BENEFITS
Part time, 20 hours a week
Weekdays, between hours of 10am-4pm. Some weekend and evening work required
Position open until filled
Compensation: $14.54-$17.45 per hour
Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday and sick leave plans
As a condition of employment, the YWCA requires all employees hired on or after July, 1 2009 to make a 5% contribution into a 403(b) plan sponsored by the YWCA until they are eligible for the YWCA Retirement Plan. Once an employee is eligible (typically after two years) for the YWCA Retirement Plan, that individual is no longer required to participate in the 403B plan, but is required to participate in the YWCA Retirement Plan at a reduced pay rate of 5%. This reduction in pay coupled with a local YWCA and National YWCA match reaffirms the YWCA's commitment to the long-term self sufficiency of our staff and is a benefit for YWCA employees. It is important to note; however, the 5% reduced pay rate will lead to a reduction in pay, but, will never reduce wages below the minimum wage required by the State of Washington. This new pay rate will be the basis of any future YWCA salary adjustments. If you have worked in a YWCA agency previously and qualified for YWCA retirement, your deducted wages along with YWCA contributions will immediately be transferred to the YWCA retirement
HOW TO APPLY
Please email 7tzrq-3753466148@job.craigslist.org with your resume and cover letter.
The YWCA of Seattle • King County • Snohomish County is an equal opportunity employer.
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