Testing Specialist - Outreach & Testing

Texas Health Action (THA) is a community-informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment, with expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and those impacted by HIV. Kind Clinic proudly serves Texas with four vibrant locations: two in Austin, one in San Antonio, and another in Dallas plus virtual care services available to all residents across Texas. Bolstered by Waterloo Counseling Center and a passionate team of over 250 dedicated employees and volunteers, THA is at the forefront of promoting healthcare equity and accessibility throughout the state. Read more about THA here: http://texashealthaction.org.

The Testing Specialist provides HIV and STI testing, prevention education, harm reduction services, referrals, and linkage to care within clinic, outreach, and mobile testing settings. The position engages communities to increase access to HIV/STI prevention, testing, and related services while providing respectful, culturally responsive, and patient-centered support. This is a full-time, non-exempt, in-person position that may require evening and weekend hours and reports to the Testing Supervisor/Testing Operations Coordinator.

Core Functions

• Provide culturally competent, anonymous and confidential HIV and STI testing, sexual health assessments, point-of-care results, and related testing services;
• Provide HIV/STI prevention education, counseling, and harm reduction services related to sexual health and wellness, substance use, testing, treatment, and prevention;
• Assess patient needs for medical and support services, provide referrals and linkages to appropriate care and community resources, and conduct required follow-up activities;
• Participate in clinic-based, mobile, and community testing and outreach activities to engage populations of focus and connect individuals to HIV/STI prevention, testing, and related services;
• Provide reception, laboratory, condom distribution, and other operational coverage necessary to support testing and outreach services;
• Complete required patient documentation, data entry, and program reporting accurately and within established timelines;
• Follow infection control measures and universal precautions to maintain safe testing, outreach, and program operations;
• Maintain professional, respectful, and patient-centered communication and collaborate effectively with patients, team members, other departments, community partners, and venues;
• Assist with maintaining testing, educational, harm reduction, and other supplies necessary for clinic and outreach operations;
• Participate in required training and maintain competency in HIV/STI testing, counseling, mobile testing vehicle operation, infection control, and other assigned program functions; and,
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Achieves at least 90% compliance with required documentation standards, as measured through routine HIV negative testing chart audits.
2. Achieves at least 95% compliance with required documentation standards, as measured through required HIV positive testing chart audits.
3. Meets at least 90% of required testing-session standards during routine observed testing encounters, as measured using the HIV Testing Observation Tool.
4. Maintains patient satisfaction at or above the established organizational target, as measured through applicable NPS results, while maintaining positive individual patient feedback.

Compensation

Based on the position’s duties and requirements, this role has a starting hourly rate of $22.93. The initial hourly rate will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience.

Requirements

Education

• High School Diploma, GED, or other equivalent certification required.

Licensure

1. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (must be obtained prior to the first day of employment);
2. Valid Texas Driver’s License;
3. Phlebotomy certification required (may be completed within first month of hire);
4. Completion of Foundations of Counseling and Testing (may be completed within first 3 months of hire); and,
5. Complete required mobile testing vehicle training and maintain competency in the safe operation, setup, and use of the mobile testing vehicle for testing and outreach activities.

Required Experience

1. Demonstrated experience through employment, volunteer service, internships, student organizations, or other relevant activities involving HIV/STI prevention, sexual health education, public health, community outreach, or related health and human services; and,
2. Six (6) months of work or volunteer experience with marginalized communities, such as LGBTQIA+ and communities of color.

Preferred Experience

• Bilingual fluency in both English and Spanish, including knowledge of medical vocabulary;
• Bachelor’s degree in a social science or public health discipline; two-year degree with licensure and/or four years of relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree; and,
• One (1) year of experience working within a human service field, including but not limited to social work, psychology, counseling and/or public health (two (2) years of part-time work/volunteer experience may be considered in lieu of one (1) year of experience).

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with basic computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel;
• Ability to maintain timely and professional communication with supervisors, team members, and other departments through organizational communication platforms, including Microsoft Teams and Outlook;
• Knowledge of confidentiality requirements and the ability to maintain patient and organizational information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational standards;
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and customer service communication skills;
• Ability to communicate and work effectively, respectfully, and with cultural responsiveness across diverse populations, backgrounds, roles, and socioeconomic circumstances;
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact, and sound judgment when navigating sensitive situations, conflict, or individuals experiencing distress;
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities, meet established deadlines, and maintain attention to detail with minimal supervision;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with employees across departments and with external community partners and organizations;
• Available 40 hours a week, with flexibility to work some evenings and weekends, dependent on clinic needs and/or schedule; and,
• Ability to safely operate organizational vehicles as required for assigned duties.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions

This position may require moving between work areas; standing, walking, bending, reaching, and using hands to perform assigned tasks. The employee may handle, carry, or move supplies, equipment, or tools relevant to the role. Work may occur in patient care or other clinical areas. This role involves direct patient care, specimen handling, exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, use of maintenance tools, and/or work outdoors or in areas with varying temperatures. The employee must follow applicable safety and infection control procedures and use required protective equipment. Essential job functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Direct patient care, specimen handling, exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, use of maintenance tools, or work outdoors or in areas with varying temperatures. A lifting weight should be added only when a specific task and its actual weight and frequency have been confirmed.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (403b)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Holidays)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Parental Leave
• Longevity Pay

Applicant Information

• Submitting official transcripts, diplomas, certifications and licenses may be required prior to final offer. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.
• Information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position may be needed for employment verification.
• The applicant selected for employment is subject to a pre-employment background check. A history of conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant. Applicants with a history of conviction may be considered on a case-by-case basis, after individualized assessment of factors including the nature of the conviction, the job duties and responsibilities, the length of time since the conviction, and evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.

EEO Statement: Texas Health Action is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Beware of Employment Scams

Kind Clinic and Texas Health Action are aware of fraudulent job offers and recruitment scams that falsely claim to represent our organization.

Please note:

• We will never ask for payment, gift cards, or financial information as part of the hiring process.
• Legitimate communications from our recruitment team will come from an official @texashealthaction.org email address (or other verified organizational channels).
• Interviews are not conducted through text message or chat apps.
• Any employment offer will follow a formal interview process.

If you receive a suspicious message claiming to represent Kind Clinic or Texas Health Action, do not provide personal or financial information. If you are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, please contact us at hr@texasheralthaction.org before responding.