Community Health Assistant Jobs in Rochester, NY

Job Title: Community Health Specialist 2

Department: Community Prevention Services

Position Type: Full-Time

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

The Community Health Specialist 2 is responsible for providing sexual health services, testing, active linkage to care, and culturally competent health education to individuals at increased risk of health disparities. In alignment with a multidisciplinary team, this role supports HIV/HCV/STI prevention, harm reduction, and health promotion efforts across Trillium Health and community-based settings throughout Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Programming

• Plan and present culturally competent educational and risk‑reduction programming on HIV/STI/HCV prevention and treatment.
• Integrate PrEP/PEP, HIV, HCV, and STI prevention into outreach and programming.
• Assist with development and implementation of culturally competent programs and outreach sites.
• Distribute educational materials at events, one-on-one meetings, and programming.
• Demonstrate developing knowledge in HIV, harm reduction, substance use, LGBTQAI+ cultural competency, and related health issues.
• Learn and implement Evidence-Based Interventions (e.g., Harm Reduction, Trauma‑Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing).
• Serve as an ambassador of Trillium Health, The MOCHA Center, and Harm Reduction.

Service Delivery

• Participate in physical and digital outreach to link contacts to care and services.
• Operate assigned vehicles, including mobile outreach units.
• Identify patients appropriate for PrEP/PEP and provide linkage to care.
• Assess barriers and develop plans to reduce barriers to care.
• Facilitate linkage to internal and external services, including Ryan White C programs, primary care, and psychosocial supports.
• Assist with onboarding and training of internal stakeholders.
• Provide complex/specialized health courses to appropriate audiences.
• Conduct outreach across Monroe County and the Finger Lakes to identify or re-engage PLWH who are out of care.

Testing

• Provide HIV/HCV/STI screening and testing services per protocol for walk‑ins, patients, and community testing events.
• Discuss risk‑reduction strategies and help clients build practical plans.
• Connect clients to PEP and PrEP services.
• Support Rapid Start ART initiation for newly positive HIV cases.
• Provide condoms and risk‑reduction supplies.
• Maintain testing and harm reduction supply inventory.
• Document testing services per funder requirements.
• Support onboarding/training of testing staff.

Administrative

• Compile and report program data in databases and EMR systems.
• Participate in ongoing training and continuing education.
• Use Microsoft Office and electronic platforms for communication and documentation.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to keep clients engaged.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Harm Reduction Services staff for client linkage.
• Demonstrate positive communication and teamwork across departments.

Community Networking

• Represent Trillium Health at community events.
• Participate in coalitions, committees, and networks.
• Identify gaps in services across Monroe County and the Finger Lakes and coordinate outreach/education for people who use substances.

Miscellaneous

• Demonstrate respect and support for inclusiveness, diversity, and people of all backgrounds.
• Model One Trillium behaviors.
• Maintain confidentiality of all protected information.
• Meet departmental performance standards and participate in compliance, process improvement, and quality efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in diverse community settings.
• Knowledge of sexual health, HIV/STI prevention, harm reduction, or willingness to learn.
• Ability to work with diverse and vulnerable populations with cultural humility.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Bilingual in Spanish or ASL desired.

Education and Experience:

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• High School Diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of experience in Health Education, Human Services, working with people who use substances, or a related field
• Associate’s degree in Health Education, Human Services, or a related field and two (2) years of related experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Health Education, Human Services, or related field (preferred)

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee may occasionally stoop, bend, lift, or move up to 25 lbs. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.