Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center
HIV Testing Counselor Internship
Reports to: HIV CTL Specialist
Status: 10 - 30 hours a week for a minimum 6-month time period (in addition to a full week dedicated entirely to HIV Testing Basic I Training and a three day HIV Testing Basic II Training follow-up).
BENEFITS: This is an unpaid internship, but you may be eligible for school credit or payment through a job training program. Individuals working 20 hours or more per week are provided with MUNI or BART transportation (depending on your home address) and participation in our lunch program is offered. The training and experience of TARC internship graduates has enabled many individuals to receive employment placement or education experiences in related fields. The trainings which HIV Testing Counselor Interns attend are available only to staff and Interns at SF Testing sites. These trainings are made available at no charge to the intern through the sponsorship of agencies, such as TARC. After successful completion of the six month internship all HIV Testing Counselor Interns will be certified HIV Testers for the State of California.
AGENCY DESCRIPTION: The Tenderloin AIDS resource Center (TARC) is an organization that aims to lessen the incidence of HIV infection, disease progression and homelessness among the residents of the Tenderloin neighborhood using harm reduction philosophy and practice. By applying principles of harm reduction through non-judgmental outreach, education, testing, client advocacy and practical direct services, TARC aims to lessen the incidence of HIV infection, disease progression and homelessness while respecting both the individuals we serve and the diversity of the Tenderloin community.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the HIV Test Counselor Internship is to provide HIV counseling, testing and linkage (CTL) to needed services for residents of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. The Intern will, over the course of six months, take part in a rigorous and challenging education program which entails on-site shadowing of current HIV Test counselors, attendance at San Francisco’s Department of Public Health HIV Test Counselor trainings and eventually individual HIV CTL for those accessing TARC’s HIV Testing services. The HIV Test Counselor Intern will have to demonstrate special efforts and comfort with reaching out to and providing HIV CTL services to people of color, transgender persons, men who have sex with men and/or transgender persons, homeless persons, active substance users, and individuals living with mental illness within TARC’s Resource Center and in mobile sites throughout the Tenderloin.
Interning as an HIV Testing Counselor at TARC will be a rewarding interpersonal skills building experience enabling you to better empathize, support, and understand the complex bio-psychosocial concerns brought forth by TARC clients. Qualifying candidates will be introduced to practical client-centered and harm reduction counseling approaches through a skills building process that emphasizes an understanding of counter-transference in the context of providing nonjudgmental care. Candidates with prior experience in the human services field will be given preference for these internships.
There is availability for scheduling on all days of the week from 8:30am-8pm, except Wednesdays when we close from 12-5 for trainings and team meetings.
The internship is an excellent opportunity for a challenging position in a cutting-edge social service agency, which sees between 300-500 individuals a day. The internship would be an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in the non-profit, health outreach, medical, public health or psychiatric fields including those wishing to seek further formal education in these areas.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To complete and pass the required HIV Testing Basic I, within four weeks of placement, and the HIV Testing Basic II training within the sixth month of placement.
2. To complete the required new TARC Volunteer/Internship training before placement, as well as TARC’s Harm Reduction 101 and Client De-Escalation trainings within the time frame defined in your internship agreement.
3. Provide sensitive harm reduction counseling, education, testing and referrals to clients according the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HIV testing protocol.
3. Maintain a minimum commitment of two 4-hour testing shifts and one hour of group or 30 minutes of individual clinical supervision per week.
4. Arrive 10-15 minutes before the shift begins to:
• locate and prepare all necessary materials
• choose and prepare the counseling room, or out-stationed testing site
• review the checklists for both the Risk Assessments and Disclosure sessions
• check the counselor mailbox
• check-in with coordinator for announcements
5. Complete accurate documentation of client encounter.
6. Shred/destroy all expired materials, e.g. schedules and blue cards.
7. Maintain communication with program coordinator.
8. Administer client satisfaction cards.
9. Proficient provision of service referrals, not limited to clinic services and staff.
10. Complete Data entry and administrative tasks as related to the service of HIV Testing.
HIV RISK REDUCTION COUNSELING AND TESTING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
1. Counselors are encouraged to provide any feedback and suggestions to the coordinator to develop the program.
2. Attend TARC HIV-test counselor meetings.
• Meetings are mandatory and held at times convenient for the team members (including Interns).
• Repeat unapproved absences may result in termination of position. Counselor development, an integral part of the counseling experience at TARC, is the counselor's educational experience and growth.
TRAINING & BENEFITS
• Counselors gain hands-on experience in providing direct client service.
• Counselors receive education in the form of trainings, in-services, workshops, and supervision from the program coordinator.
• Learn about TARC and contribute your ideas to its growth and development
• Reference and/or recommendation letters for interns
• Counselors must attend a week long training to certify them for the initial HIV testing and a follow-up three day course to complete their certification.
• Certification that is good throughout the State of California.
SCHEDULE & SUPERVISION
• The HIV CTL Intern works under the direct supervision of the program coordinator.
• Performance appraisals occur after one month, three months, six months and six months thereafter. Formal and informal feedback is provided on an ongoing basis.
• Interns are expected to participate in group or individual clinical supervision with TARC clinical staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to working effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, with sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, and sexual minorities.
• Ability and comfort in engaging in open, nonjudgmental conversations with clients regarding their sexual and drug using behaviors.
• Excellent attention to detail, self-motivation, ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and strong organizational skills.
• Experience and/or ability to work with community agencies in San Francisco, particularly with the HIV services field.
• Individuals who have at least three months of prior volunteer experience at TARC, or volunteer or employment experience at similar agencies are preferred.
• Candidates who are currently certified as HIV Test Counselors by the SFDPH AIDS Office seeking to volunteer in the Tenderloin are encouraged to apply.
• Bilingual skills preferred.
The Statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so assigned.
TARC is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a culturally diverse work environment that reflects the make-up of the Tenderloin community. People with diverse personal experiences are urged to apply, especially people of color, bi-lingual English-Spanish speakers, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, women, people living with HIV and residents of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
CONTACT: For more information about this internship, please contact the Volunteer and Intern Services Manager, David Brantly at 415-246-9343, or send an email to dbrantlytarc@solve360.com.
For more information about TARC please visit us www.tarcsf.org.
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