Cook County·Chicago, Illinois
The Regional PrEP Navigator provides HIV counseling, testing, and PrEP education and navigation across various Cook County Health clinics and community settings. They are responsible for identifying vulnerable populations, managing referrals, and coordinating care to ensure treatment adherence and access to supportive services.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on Cook County Health (CCH) policy. Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at CCH. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
Department of
Public
Health -
CORE
Center
Shift: 8AM – 4PM Job Summary Under the direction of the Regional PrEP Navigator (Navigator) will provide PrEP services at CORE Center, Austin Health Center, Prieto Health Center, North Riverside Health Center, Belmont Cragin Health Center, Arlington Heights Health Center and any other Cook County Health Ambulatory Clinic where PrEP Services are offered. The Navigator will assess individual and group health education needs in clinics and community settings, performing pre and post-test STI/HIV counseling, prevention and risk. The Navigator will identify patients in clinic and community who are vulnerable to HIV and assesses for PrEP, provides PrEP Navigation, refers eligible PrEP candidates to CCH/CCHIP PrEP clinic for services and benefits. Assess individuals’ needs related to their social determinants of health and refers to appropriate CCHIP services during initial PrEP care visits. Evaluates client health education sessions as related to PrEP adherence, HIV prevention and risk reduction. Develops, implements, and provides client centered-level health education. Develops, implements and provides patient/participants education in related topics (i.e., PrEP, STIs, hepatitis C, medication adherence, etc.). Participates in all administrative meetings and staff development meetings, representing PrEP Health Education and Prevention issues, activities, goals, and outcomes. This is a grant-funded position. Typical Duties
Provides patient centered HIV counseling and testing, PrEP education, assessment, and referrals to CCHIP Clinic and throughout the Cook County Health facilities and community events as necessary.
Performs pre and post HIV counseling and testing with adults, adolescents, children, and special populations.
Provides pre-test counseling and prevention education at various locations within CCH/CCHIP sites and community events.
Performs rapid HIV testing through finger stick and/or mouth swab.
Assesses participants/patients for PrEP Services following up CDC guidelines
Collects and enter data on HIV testing, PrEP high-risk assessments and PrEP enrollments for PrEP eligible.
Ensures PrEP eligible participants’ follow-up contacts (phone calls, emails, texts), for linkage, appointments, and referrals to PrEP services to the CCHIP sites or any CCH site that offers PrEP services.
Manages PrEP referrals from Cerner Scheduling Queue.
Provides test results, post-test counseling and assesses client risk behaviors.
Refers/links HIV positive patients to desired CCHIP site for HIV medical care and other prevention services as needed and schedule future appointments as necessary.
Enters HIV counseling and testing, PrEP assessment, initiation and related activities into Cerner and into an excel spreadsheet on a daily basis.
Generates monthly report of all activities related to HIV testing, Outreach, PrEP assessments and referrals
Provides patient Centered HIV risk reduction counseling and education on PrEP adherence to patients who want to initiate PrEP or patients who are already receiving PrEP services at a CCHIP or other CCH site.
Provides client centered health education, offering risk reduction strategies and appropriate referrals.
Accompanies patients through their PrEP initiation visit to orient them to the available services and how to access them.
Develops client level risk reductions plans and health education/PrEP adherence goals.
Refers patients to the benefits Department for Insurance (CountyCare and/or CareLink)
Fills out Medication Assistance Program (MAP) form for new patients and follows up on patients with documentation needed to complete application. Once documentation is completed submits package for approval.
Follows up with submitted application and contacts patient with proof of approval to ensure successful PrEP initiation.
Refers PrEP participants to other disciplines as needed (Mental Health, Substance use, Social Services, benefits, etc).
Collects and enters data in Cerner and program databases in a timely matter.
Submits monthly reports to the West side Regional PrEP Coordinator in a timely manner.
Provides group-level health education trainings as needed.
Provides comprehensive ongoing PrEP navigation services for individuals vulnerable to HIV.
Develops professional relationships with patients who agree to PrEP services and assists in follow-ups, linkage to primary care and other supportive services.
Identifies barriers affecting adherence to treatment plans.
Provides medication and treatment adherence counseling.
Enrolls PrEP patients into the Appointment and Medication Adherence (AMA) text message reminder system.
Develops care coordination plans in conjunction with Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) team.
Reminds patients of appointments and addresses barriers to care such as childcare, transportation, return to work/school slips, etc.
Arranges for transportation to medical and other supportive service appointments
Provides follow-up assistance for patients’ medical and supportive services visits.
Communicates with the CCHIP Regional PrEP Coordinator about individuals’ needs and concerns.
Attends all PrEP clinic sessions and meetings as assigned.
Provides outreach and recruitment; Provide patient, provider, and community education on CCHIP’s PrEP services and related topics.
Initiates immediate contact with patients/participants who are interested in PrEP to establish rapport and assist with linkage to ongoing PrEP services; completes required assessment and/or intake information for follow-ups and enters into required database(s).
Conducts outreach to assess HIV vulnerable population needs in our communities, recruit PrEP Candidates
Collaborates with CCHIP Regional Manager of Community Outreach with scheduled community events providing HIV testing, PrEP education, assessments, and referrals to different CCHIP sites or any other CCH site that provides PrEP Services.
Provides public HIV education, offering risk reduction strategies including PrEP and provide appropriate referrals.
Provides
HIV prevention counseling training, including but not limited to: HIV counseling training, PrEP education and early intervention to health care providers and other professionals.
Participates as an active member of team to develop and implement community education on accessibility to CCHIP PrEP services to the most HIV vulnerable communities.
Documentation of all face to face, phone calls, and other encounters related to HIV testing and PrEP Services in the EMR (Electronic Medical Record) and other databases provided by funder.
Documents all client-related activities, referrals including approvals and denials should be in EMR and database.
Documents all data Entry and paperwork will be submitted in compliance with organization’s policies.
Documents all transportation, food vouchers, day passes, and cab vouchers must be properly documented including client’s signature of receipt.
Assists with development of peer educators
Trains and mentors’ members of the CCHIP peer program and other high-risk persons to become PrEP peer educators and navigators.
Other duties as assigned.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of experience as an HIV and PrEP related counselor or educator. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required, while a bachelor's degree is preferred.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Illinois often draw steady interest because employers look for licensed or graduate-prepared candidates who can work in clinical, community, or care-coordination settings. This role is competitive because the required background is specific—either a master’s degree in a human services field or an active Illinois RN license, with behavioral health experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure, degree, and setting experience before applying.
