SOURCE's HIV Counseling and Testing Program
The application deadline for the HIV Counseling and Testing Program is Wednesday, September 12, 2012 by midnight. If you are interested in participating, please read on for the details about the training dates/times, expectations and requirements, and more. For a full list of program requirements/expecatations, you can also click here.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Students selected to go through the HIV Counseling and Testing Program will serve as HIV Counselors at one of two participating community clinics:
STAR (Sisters Together And Reaching)
Johns Hopkins Hospital Emergency Department
There will be 10 students per site, including a student leader. Students undergo training to become certified HIV Counselors in Maryland, participate in orientations and site-specific training, and are required to volunteer for at least two, 3-4 hour shifts per month. Also, to help support students in the program, build community among the volunteers, and create a rich service-learning environment, student volunteer counselors will be required to participate in quarterly discussion groups and reflection activities.
TRAINING INFORMATION:
All applicants must be able to participate in the entire 3-part training series. Please note these are the only times the training is able to be offered. If you cannot participate in all of these dates/times, please do not apply to the program.
Mandatory training dates
Either Mon, Sept 24th OR Tues, Sept 25th from 3:00-6:30pm
AND
Sat AND Sun Sept 29th and 30th, 2012 9am-5pm both days
All students selected to participate are required to pay $25 to assist with the training costs for the program.
HOW DO I APPLY?
First, you must thoroughly review the Program Requirements (in pdf format).
If you are able to commit to all expectations as outlined in the Program Requirements, and if you are available for all 3 scheduled training dates and times, you may then fill out the Online Application.
FAQS
How are the two testing sites different?
STAR services will be on a mobile unit, driving to various community locations (including hard to reach populations, college campus, health fairs). The ER is a part of a national study where admitted patients are tested (volunteers ask patients if they want to be tested and administer the test).
How in-depth is the counseling?
The depth of the counseling portion varies from client to client. The volunteer will be expected to ask about clients sexual health practices and to promote healthy lifestyles. The training consists of a lot of information about counseling because volunteers should be prepared for multiple scenarios.
What happens if someone is positive?
Volunteers do not provide referrals or post testing counseling. If someone is positive, then volunteers follow the protocol at each site of alerting a licensed practitioner who then handles those cases.
How many people will I test in a given shift?
This will vary by many factors including site and time of day.
How accessible are the sites to travel to without a vehicle?
Please refer to p. 2 of the Program Requirements for more information.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please contact SOURCE at 410-955-3880 or source@jhsphe.edu.
