Hepatitis Peer Specialist

Roles /Responsibilities:

Peer Assignment and Training
• Recruits and trains peers with lived experience in recovery or health navigation to work directly within local organizations.
• Hepatitis Peers are integrated into CBOs to bridge the gap between clinical services and hard-to-reach populations.

Outreach and Participant Enrollment
• Identify potential participants within their agency and outside their agency 
• Provide basic HIV/HCV/STI (HIV and AIDS/Hepatitis C Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection) 
information at outreach events, health fairs, community gatherings and during direct street outreach. 
 

Health Coaching
• Inform and educate the focus population and larger community about HCV testing sites and the value of testing.
• Provide harm reduction messaging to all clients and connects them to syringe exchange and other services promoting safer drug use Screening and Assessment
• Provide HBV/HCV screening services within programs providing SSP (Syringe Services Program), HIV screening and treatment, and MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment). 
• Assess participants knowledge and self-management skill level in the areas of HCV including treatment, preventing disease progression, preventing transmission, self-care, emotional wellness, social support, disclosure, and harm-reduction. 
• Disseminate materials and information to participants about appropriate health and social service resources.
 

Key Collaborating Organizations
• DC Health partners with a wide network of agencies to host these peer-led initiatives. Community Health Center organzations serve as critical sites for peer-supported care.
• Peer-Operated Centers locations specifically designed for peer-to-peer support in recovery and health navigation.Linkage to Care and Follow-Up
• Based on testing and assessment results, refer participants to HCV related health and wellness services and/or other community services. 
• Create individualized client plans that ensure on-going support to participants by maintaining contact by way of in person, drop-in, email, telephone calls, and accompaniments
• As needed, accompany clients to clinics, community agencies or accompanying nurses to homes. 
• Maintain confidential and accurate files; complete monthly reporting and share with DC Health in a timely manner.Program Administration
• Comply with embedded agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality of participants and business operations.
• Attend and actively participate in required training sessions and bi-weekly team meeting

• Provide basic HIV/HCV/STI (HIV and AIDS/Hepatitis C Virus/Sexually Transmitted Infection) 
information at outreach events, health fairs, community gatherings and during direct street outreach. 

• Inform and educate the focus population and larger community about HCV testing sites and the value of testing.
 

Period of Performance: 5/1/2026-4/30/2027