NYC Hep B Coalition & NYC Hep C Task Force Site

Job | Hep C Intensive Case Manager @ NDRI (Collaborative Hepatitis Outreach and Integrated Care Evaluation Study )

nirah — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:29:35 +0000

Position Title: Counselor/Intensive Case Manager
Annual Salary: $59,309
Center/Institute: Institute for Infectious Disease Research
Project: Collaborative Hepatitis Outreach and Integrated Care Evaluation Study (CHOICES)

For Full Job posting, click here

Hours: Normal work hours will be between 9:00am and 7:00pm, Monday through Friday. Exact hours of work will be agreed upon by the supervisor and the employee hired.

Under guidance from the Principal Investigator and Project Director, provides intensive case management and coordinates clinical services for study participants receiving integrated care for hepatitis C.

RESPONSIBILITIES

-Provides intensive case management with people who inject illicit drugs to enhance entry and retention in hepatitis C medical care and treatment.

-Coordinates care among multiple providers. Organizes case conferences and coordinates activities of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and service providers at NDRI and other institutions.

-Conducts HIV and HCV pre- and post-test counseling.

-Provides ongoing education about hepatitis C, including its natural history and the risks and benefits of treatment options.

-Conduct motivational enhancement therapy (motivational interviewing) to reduce barriers to entry and retention in hepatitis C medical care and treatment.

-Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments, identifying areas of unmet needs, and develops appropriate service plans.

-Assists patients in obtaining and using services as needed including medical care, mental health and substance abuse services, other social services, and Medicaid. Works closely with patients to ensure continuity of care.

-Meet weekly with participants throughout antiviral treatment, providing ongoing support and adherence counseling, identifying barriers to adherence and formulating plans to minimize these.

-Monitor for depression and other adverse events associated with antiviral treatment, and assist participants with developing strategies for minimizing treatment related side-effects.

-Facilitates hepatitis C treatment education support group.

-Manages ongoing collaborative relationships with community-based agencies and community partners. Ensures smooth integration of research project activities into partnering sites.

-Contributes field information and data for reports

-Participates in designated in-service supervision and training

-Negotiates shared space and maintains strong working relationship with staff at collaborating community-based organizations.

-Performs phlebotomy, processes and logs blood samples from participants as needed.

-Assists supervisor with site related tasks.

REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience:

-BA with 1 year relevant experience, or a high school diploma/GED plus CAC with 2 years NDRI experience as an Assistant Counselor, or high school diploma/GED plus CAC with 4 years relevant experience, or AA with 3 years relevant experience.

-Comprehensive understanding of harm reduction approach to working with people who use drugs.

-Must be comfortable working with people who use drugs.

-Excellent organizational, interpersonal, writing, and communication skills.

-Ability to function in the community and the medical center and to bridge the gap between these two environments.

-Computer skills, including word processing.

SPECIAL SKILLS

-Must maintain confidentiality of information.

-Ability to demonstrate empathy.

-Ability to build trust and maintain healthy relationships with marginalized individuals.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

-Experience working in a health care or social service agency providing direct services to people who use illicit drugs using a harm reduction approach preferred.

-Familiarity with hepatitis C and hepatitis C antiviral treatment preferred.

-Experience delivering motivational enhancement therapy (motivational interviewing) preferred.

-Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field preferred.

-Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

-Phlebotomy certification preferred; training can be provided.

-Research experience preferred.

How to apply

To apply send cover letter and resume to:

Emily Winkelstein, MSW

National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.

71 West 23rd Street/8th Floor

New York, NY 10010

winkelstein@ndri.org

The post Job | Hep C Intensive Case Manager @ NDRI (Collaborative Hepatitis Outreach and Integrated Care Evaluation Study ) appeared first on NYC Hep B Coalition & NYC Hep C Task Force Site.

Job | Patient Navigator HIV & MICA (HCV/HIV) STAR Clinic SUNY Downstate

nirah — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:02:20 +0000

SUNY Downstate Medical Center is seeking a Patient Navigator to provide field-based health education on a monthly or weekly basis and skills building service to patients.

Click here to see full posting

Responsibilities: Accompany patients to primary care appointments and to other health care and social service encounters. Coordinate ongoing navigation and logistical support for appointment keeping reminders, transportation and childcare arrangements. Track patients’ progress through health education curriculum. Conduct social service and benefits reassessment and follow-up. Provide critical feedback to other members of the health care team based on observations in the field through EMR notes, EMR messaging, participation in multidisciplinary care conference meetings and phone communication. Educate, coach and empower patients. Provide directly observed therapy (DOT) in patients’ homes as needed; observe and record patient self-administration of antiretrovirals (ARVs); and assess for and report any ARV related side-effects. Document all patient activities on required data forms for submission into AIRS or alternative data system.

Requirements: AA or AAS Degree with at least 3 years of experience in an agency providing case management, social services or health care services required. Eexperience with home visits, HIV positive, substance abuse using and/or mentall ill chemically addicted MICA populations preferred. Bachelor’s degree may be substitutued for one year of experience. Bilingual in English/Haitian-Creole or English/Spanish preferred.

How to apply

Please submit resume and cover letter to: Lori Hurley, LMSW, MPH SUNY Downstate Medical Center 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 1240 Brooklyn, NY 11203 Lori.hurley@downstate.edu 718-270-3386 (Fax)

We are an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or marital status, in accordance with federal and state law.

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Focus Group for Family of LGBT Brooklyn Youth of Color

nirah — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:24:55 +0000

Participate in a Focus Group to help understand & encourage PREVENTION of HIV & other health conditions in LGBT youth.

CAMBA’s Project Accept LGBTQ Youth or simply Project ALY, will utilize stories of acceptance from supportive parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and teens in Brooklyn order to change underlying causes of HIV infection amongst this highly at-risk group. The ultimate goal is to promote parental and familial acceptance of LGBTQ youth, thus increasing self-esteem and self-worth and decreasing risk of future health or mental health problems including HIV infection and substance abuse.

By encouraging parents and family members of LBGTQ youth to become role models and share their stories of acceptance, we will help break the silence, remove stigma, and motivate change throughout the community. In addition to this, parents and family members who struggle with acceptance will gain better understanding of the detrimental effects that disapproval and rejection can have on LBGTQ youth and their decisions to engage in risky behaviors.
By helping to increase tolerance and acceptance, Project ALY will reduce these risks thus preventing new HIV infections. We will do so through a social marketing campaign, role model stories that will be distributed throughout various Brooklyn communities as well as parent advocates to share their journey of acceptance with others.

We are looking for parents/guardians/family members of LGBT youth of color to participate in our upcoming focus groups. Should you know of any parents/guardians/family members of LGBT youth, could you post, pass along or share our flyer with them. Please see attached flyer with more details.

Should you have any questions, please contact me and I’ll be more than happy to explain in depth.

Best regards,
Geneva Musgrave, Project Manager – CAMBA’S Project ALY
T.718-675-3372 ext. 52001
genevam@camba.org
www.camba.org

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May 2013 NYC Hep ABC Newsletter | Hepatitis Awareness month!

nirah — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:39:40 +0000

Click Here to View the Newsletter Online: May 2013 NYC Hep ABC Newsletter: Hep Awareness Month!

The post May 2013 NYC Hep ABC Newsletter | Hepatitis Awareness month! appeared first on NYC Hep B Coalition & NYC Hep C Task Force Site.

May 14 Hep Awareness Month Press Conference: Media Advisory

nirah — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:39:31 +0000

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: John Hellman Tel: 646-377-6115; jhellman@latinoaids.org

New York City Leaders and Federal Officials

Call for Action to Address the Impact of Viral Hepatitis

What: Elected officials, community leaders and public health officials will announce free and low cost hepatitis screenings and unveil a new PSA campaign in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The event will recognize National Hepatitis Awareness Month during May as well as National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day on May 15, and National Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19. Testing and education opportunities will be available for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

When: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 11am
Where: Steps of City Hall, New York, NY
Who:

NYC Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo
Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, Director of the Office of Minority Health, HHS
Dr. Jaime Torres, Regional Health Administrator, HHS
Guillermo Chacon, President, Latino Commission on AIDS
Dr. Warren Chin, Executive Director, Chinese American Medical Society
NYC Council Member Dr. Matthieu Eugene
NYS Assemblyman Ron Kim
NYC Council Member Peter Koo
Carson Kressley, Television host, celebrity stylist, and fashion designer
Dr. Carlos Ortiz, Executive Board, Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation

Why: Hepatitis B & C are leading causes of liver disease in the United States, and increase the risk for liver cancer. It is a silent epidemic, with up to 5.3 million Americans estimated to be infected. Although it claims the lives of 12,000-15,000 Americans every year, viral hepatitis remains virtually unknown to the general public, at risk populations, and policy makers. Over 245,000 NYC residents are living with Hep B or C, and more than ¼ will progress to end stage liver disease without medical intervention. There is a vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis B, and treatment to prevent or slow liver disease. With greater awareness there is greater hope for putting an end to this devastating silent illness.

Note to Editors: There will be volunteer patients being tested with the new OraQuick® HCV Rapid Test for photo and video.

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CHIPO NYC: Coalition against Hepatitis in People of African Origin

nirah — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:22 +0000

An Initiative of the NYC Hep B Coalition & Hep C Task Force

Viral hepatitis is a significant worldwide health problem. Untreated viral hepatitis can lead to liver damage, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and it is one of the top infectious disease killers in the world. In many cases the disease is asymptomatic, and can only be detected through a blood test. The prevalence of viral hepatitis infection rates varies with country of origin. The disease is highly endemic in many parts of Africa (defined by the CDC as 8-20%), and prevalence rates amongst Africans living in the U.S. are similar to rates in Africa. There is a large African-born population living in the United States, specifically in New York City. However, there is a lack of public health awareness about the burden of disease in this population.

The objectives of the African Hepatitis B & C: Liver Health Initiative are:

To build community and provider partnerships for prevention
To raise awareness about hepatitis among African born populations
To provide screening, immunization, referral services for African immigrants and refugees
To increase hepatitis B screening and immunization rates for high risk African immigrants
To identify and reduce cultural and language barriers to immunization, screening, and treatment for liver diseases

Opportunities

To Join the NYC African Hep B & C: Liver Health Initiative - Contact us
National Coalition against Hepatitis in People of African Origin (CHIPO): A Committee of the National Hepatitis B Task Force. Monthly Call. This is an opportunity to speak to leaders in the nation focused on addressing Hep B in the African Community. Join.
Hep B & C Testing for the African Community in NYC
- African Services Committee is now testing for Hepatitis B & C and providing Hep B vaccination! The tests are free, and if positive the patients will be provided with linkage to care.
  Monday -Thursday
  To refer, contact: Hari Shankar, Coordinator African Services Committee & Mount Sinai HONE (hari.shankar@mssm.edu)

New! Initiative Information & Resources

Radio Spots for the African Community: Free Testing at African Services Committee
- Hep B Testing Radio Ad #1 (In French) 1:56 minutes (MP3)
- Hep B Testing Radio Ad #2 (In French) 1 minute (MP3)
- Hep B Testing Radio Ad #3 (In French) :44 seconds (MP3)
- 2 women in Street Hep B Radio Spot (In French) :53 seconds (MP3)
Video
- African Immigrant Hepatitis B Awareness PSA. The Hepatitis B Initiative.

Articles

Infectious Disease Screening for Refugees Resettled in the US, 2004. Hepatitis B and Africans are on page 3.
Screening and Diagnosing Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Immigrant and Special Populations, 2009. Mention of African communities is on pages 5-6.
Prevalence of Chronic Hepatitis B Among Foreign-Born Persons Living in the United States by Country of Origin. Hepatology, 2012.

Hepatitis & Liver Cancer Brochures

Cirrhosis Brochure – English – What you need to know about this potentially life-threatening liver condition.
Hepatitis B Brochure- General information on hepatitis B including risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Translations existing for African community:
- Hepatitis B Handout – Arabic- Hepatitis B Handout in Arabic
- Hepatitis B Handout – French – Hepatitis B Handout in French
- Hepatitis B Handout – Swahili – Hepatitis B Handout in Swahili
Liver Cancer Brochure – Brochure about liver cancer, including risk factors, diagnosis and treatment.

Translations existing for African community: Newly Diagnosed: Hepatitis B
- Liver Cancer Handout – Arabic – Liver Cancer Handout in Arabic
- Liver Cancer Handout – French Liver Cancer Handout in French
- Liver Cancer Handout – Swahili – Liver Cancer Handout in Swahili

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New Yorkers: Call to support Hep C Screening Bill!

nirah — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:39:19 +0000

The New York State Legislature is considering legislation (a bill) that would require clinics and hospitals to offer hepatitis C screening to all baby boomers (people born 1945-1965). This legislation was approved and voted out of the Assembly and Senate Health Committees.

We need your help to keep this important legislation moving!

Please call Senator John DeFrancisco, Finance Committee Chair, at (518) 455-3511 and ask that he immediately put Senate Bill 2750 on the Senate Finance committee calendar for a vote on Monday, May 13.

When you call, please say:

“My name is _______ and I am calling to urge Senator DeFrancisco to place Senate Bill 2750 on the agenda of the next Senate Finance Committee meeting on May 13. This bill will expand access to hepatitis C screening and address a vital health issue for New Yorkers. Thank you for your time.”

Thank you for taking action!

From: Hadiyah Charles

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A HCV patient who has cirhossis

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:33:49 +0000

Question: A HCV+ patient who has cirhossis and may need a liver transplant was denied Medicaid due to $300 surplus from unemployment insurance. He can not afford to purchase private health insurance, and definitely needs medical care that is more expensive than he can pay out of pocket. What can he do?

Answer: Your patient may be eligigble for the Medicaid Excess Income (“Spenddown” or “Surplus Income”) Program . Take a look at the info on this webpage, and also consider contacting Self Help Legal Services.

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My patient is an undocumented immigrant

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:32:08 +0000

Question: My patient is an undocumented immigrant and needs care for his hepatitis, where can he go to get care he can afford? Is he at risk for deportation if he goes to a government hospital?

Answer: Public Hospitals (HCC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) must provide care regardless of ability to pay. Medical institutions will not report patients to immigration services. Learn more….

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My client cannot afford to pay

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:29:51 +0000

Question: My client cannot afford to pay Medicare Part D and therefore has no prescription coverage. Is there support available for patients who need help covering the premium for Medicare Part D? Are there resources they can apply for in NY State?

Answer: They should contact the HIICAP program for assistance. In NYC they can be reached through 311. The statewide number is 800-701-0501. Social Security and the Medicare Rights Center also provide help with this. There are income limits for the assistance programs offered which would include the “Medicare Savings Program” and “Extra Help” for Part D.

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