With an annual budget of $1.6 billion and more than 6,000 employees throughout the five boroughs, The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is one of the largest public health agencies in the world, serving 8 million New Yorkers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. With over 200 years of leadership in the field, we’re also one of our nation’s oldest public health agencies. The challenges we face range from obesity, diabetes and heart disease to HIV/AIDS, tobacco addiction and substance abuse, and the threat of bioterrorism. We’re tackling these issues with innovative policies and programs and getting exceptional results but our work is never finished. The breadth of our innovative programs provides the widest range of choices for every member of our team.
Position Summary
The HIV Epidemiology and Field Services Program is recruiting a Phlebotomist for the New York City National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS). NHBS is a national, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded research project conducted annually in New York City and other participating sites. The project investigates HIV risk behaviors, access to and utilization of HIV prevention services, testing history, and HIV prevalence among populations at risk for HIV infection, including men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and high-risk heterosexuals (HET).
The study population for 2018 is people who inject drugs. The primary role of the phlebotomist will be to conduct blood draws, and perform rapid HIV and hepatitis C testing and counseling. In addition, the phlebotomist will be expected to administer 30-40 minute risk behavior interviews using tablet PCs on as-needed basis.
Responsibilities
- Obtain blood specimens for HIV and hepatitis C testing by performing venipunctures and finger sticks.
- Conduct HIV and hepatitis C counseling and testing per local and NHBS guidelines.
- Provide results of HIV and hepatitis C rapid tests to study participants.
- Assist in linking participants who test positive to care.
- Comply with guidelines for maintaining safety, data security, and participant confidentiality.
- Document communication from study interviewer to ensure participant consent was provided for HIV and hepatitis C testing.
- Implement local safety procedures and report field incidents and adverse events to the field supervisor immediately.
- Have knowledge of information in package inserts for rapid testing.
- Accurately document information on lab slips, HIV and hepatitis C Test Result Logs, and Specimen Transport/Shipping Log.
- Prepare and maintain testing materials and supplies.
- Participate in required trainings.
- As needed, conduct in-depth standardized surveys with study participants, including screening participants and obtaining informed consent.
Qualifications
- Ability to adhere to detailed survey research protocols.
- Ability to comply with strict protocols for confidentiality.
- Strong attention to details.
- Ability to establish rapport with diverse racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and sexual orientation groups.
- Experience conducting phlebotomy on PWID is an advantage, but not required.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
Special Requirements
- Evening and weekend shifts may be required during the survey period (expected July-November 2018).
- To be considered for this positon, you MUST upload your phlebotomy license with your application.
PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and veterans.
Apply here.
Last Updated on May 17, 2020 by HepFree NYC
