AMAZING INDIVIDUALS WORKING FOR POSITIVE PEOPLE at AIDS Healthcare Foundation!

Does the idea of doing something that really makes a difference in people’s lives while being well-compensated intrigue you? Are you looking to work for an organization that encourages growth and success from each and every one of its employees?

If so, AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the place for you!

Founded in 1987, AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest specialized provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the nation. Our mission is to provide cutting edge medicine and advocacy, regardless of ability to pay. Through our healthcare centers, pharmacies, health plan, research and other activities, AHF provides access to the latest HIV treatments for all who need them.

AHF’s core values are:

• Patient-Centered

• Value Employees

• Respect for Diversity

• Nimble

• Fight for What’s Right

Benefits at AHF

AHF offers comprehensive benefits to help our employees do and be their very best! These benefits are intended to enhance employee physical, financial, spiritual and professional health.

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE POSITION OF COUNSELOR

(TO BE FILLED IN iCIMS)

Date Requested: 19 February 2024
Position Requested: COUNSELOR (Evening) - COE
Requesting Manager: DR. V. SAM PRASAD
Replacing Previous Employee: NO

What is the necessity of this position as it relates to the direction of AHF and the Bureau?

India Cares provides treatment which includes testing, medicines, and counseling, to the patients registered at India Cares, New Delhi.

The position of Counselor is required at the COE to support the evening clinic. As per the National Counseling & Testing guidelines, pre and post-test counseling is mandatory. It also mentions that the counseling needs to be imparted by trained personnel to ensure quality of the counseling service provided. This position is also critical to ensure that the identified clients are linked to ART Treatment to the AHF Clinic.

What is the necessity for this position as it relates to the specific Country need?

India Cares directly implements RTP in Delhi through its mobile medical units (Ambulance) that play across the length and breadth of the city and sub urban locations where there are large congregation of people who have high risk and vulnerability towards HIV. The flagship program of MOONLIGHT testing which is conducted during the evenings in especially the cruising sites of the key populations, currently has a vacancy of the Counselor. Any day the testing yield is over 1% and it is important that the identified are linked to the AHF ART Clinic immediately. Therefore, it is important to fill this position by a trained counselor.

Is this position still relevant /needed as currently designed or described in the current job description? Does the job description need to be revised?

The Current job description seems satisfactory and is as follows:

Provide counseling to those who are living with HIV in the CoE ART clinic and the satellite clinics
Providing psycho-social support to registered PLHA clients of the clinic and their family members/client attendants.
Facilitation of support group and/or adherence meetings.
Networking with NGO’s who are working on health issues, government ICTC / ART Centers and private health providers to promote AHF center of excellence.
Documentation & Dissemination of Counseling information & related works.
Coordinate with Medical Officer, Prevention Program Manager and team for data collection and clinic data synchronization with Rapid Testing Program
Reporting for Meetings & other programs.
Ensuring better coordination between testing activities and clinic to ensure higher linkage to services.
Follow up of non-adherent clients and Conducting home visits as when required providing required support to clients.
Assist the Director, Medical & Psychiatry Services / Medical Officer in the management of day to day affairs of the clinic.
Participate in Treatment related operational research in coordination with Medical Officer.
Participate in testing related operational research in coordination with Prevention Program Manager.
Assist in ensuring client mobilization for satellite clinic in coordination with Prevention Program Manager, Staff Nurse and Partner Organization
Accomplish other activities assigned by the Director, Medical & Psychiatry Services and Medical Officer as and when necessary.

What is the impact in country if the position goes unfilled?

Without hiring the Counselor (Evening), the counseling services will be incomplete and the evening clinic will not be complete as per the National counseling & Testing guidelines. Apart from this it is important to have counseling services to ensure ART initiation and also to manage the mental stress the client goes through at that point in time. It is equally important that people stay negative, so counseling during testing is imperative without which the quality of the HIV services will be compromised.

Is outsourcing a better more cost-effective alternative ? Why or why not?

This position cannot be outsourced and has to be a hired in-house position.

Is the timing correct? Should another position be filled before this position is filled? (e.g. manager before line staff within the same department)

The timing is correct.

Who is currently fulfilling the responsibilities of the role ?

Currently the position is vacant.

Can someone already in Country fill this position?

yes

What is the anticipated benefit to your program once position is filled?

Counseling services to the clients before and after testing, adherence to the national protocols, quality HIV services

Is this a budgeted position? If so, include budget information such as Cost Center(s). If not why was it not budgeted?

Yes. This is a budgeted position. The cost centre for this position is 49030200. The salary for this position will be INR 67,135.

We at AIDS Healthcare Foundation believe that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status or disability. The right of equal employment opportunity extends to recruiting, hiring selection, transfer, promotion, training and all other conditions of employment.

HIV Testing Counselor