Organizational Summary
San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) envisions a future where health justice is achieved for all people living with or at risk for HIV. Ultimately, we strive for a day when race is not a barrier to health and wellness, substance use is not stigmatized, HIV status does not determine quality of life, and HIV transmission is eliminated.
Our mission is to promote health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and partnership.
Our strategic plan includes an articulation of its five key values, which are the foundation for its work and its employees:
Justice, Dignity, Courage, Leadership and Excellence. We need passionate agents of social change, vanguards of public health, and practitioners of racial justice to join our fight.
Position Overview:
Rafiki Coalition and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) have partnered to launch the Health Access Point Program, a community-based initiative rooted in an African American-centered wellness perspective. This program prioritizes self-determination, pride, self-esteem, collaboration, community involvement, and holistic wellness, while addressing the underlying social determinants of health that contribute to persistent health disparities within African American and BIPOC communities.
Services are intentionally informed by the lived experiences of those impacted by poverty, unemployment, mass incarceration, lack of affordable housing, homelessness, generational trauma, systemic racism, and the failure of traditional healthcare systems to meet the needs of Black and marginalized populations. Additionally, the program seeks to dismantle stigma surrounding HIV status, gender and sexual identity, and substance use—especially as these issues intersect with race and socio-economic inequities.
The Clinical Assistant Intern will participate in a robust sexual health clinical training program through the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Health Equity Training Academy. Interns will gain hands-on experience by working alongside holistic health practitioners, sexual health clinicians, benefits navigators, and community programs staff—experts in HIV prevention, treatment, and community-based advocacy.
This internship offers a unique opportunity for individuals to contribute to health equity efforts, engage directly with impacted communities, and develop real-world skills in sexual and public health service delivery. Interns will be part of a transformative and supportive learning environment that empowers them to make a meaningful impact in community health.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is an Equal Opportunity employer. We actively seek applicants from people of color, trans and gender non-binary people, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ folks,
This is a part-time, temporary position lasting 16-20 weeks with a target start date of Mid June 2025. Clinical assistant interns are expected to work 3-5 half days per week for a total of 12 to 20 hours per week.
There is also a mandatory week-long HIV/ HEP-C Test Counselor training (date to be announced for 2025) for 8 hours, Monday-Friday.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Clinical Assistants will undergo training and apply learned techniques relating to the following:
- Harm reduction
- HIV test counseling
- Motivational interviewing
- Medical benefits navigation
- Community organizing to address health disparities
- Community-centered clinical administration
- Community Engagement programming
- State certification in HIV test counseling from the San Francisco Department of Public Health
- Hands-on experience delivering the full spectrum of client-centered care—from initial client intake to harm reduction counseling and health navigation
- Opportunities to learn about and develop evidence-based sexual health programs and services for underrepresented communities
- Mentorship and flexible training opportunities based on individual interests
- Career preparation and coaching
- Other tasks as assigned
OTHER RESPOSIBILITIES:
Requirements For Clinical Assistant Program Certificate of Completion:
- Completion of pre-training period (covering 12+ in-person trainings)
- Completion and attainment of HIV/HEP-C Test Counselor Training (SFDPH)
- Completion of (minimum) 40 hours of hand-on experience with programs
- Completion of (minimum) 40 hours of hand-on experience with Strut clinic
- Maintaining good standing and attendance with the program
Essential Qualifications:
- Availability for Training: Must be available for weeklong training in 2025 (date will be announced before onboarding date) (Monday-Friday) 9am-5:30pm for a mandatory state certified HIV/ HEP-C test counselor training.
- Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Weekly Availability: Must have regular schedule availability to work 12 hours (min) – 20 hours (max) per week; must be available for at least three four-hour shifts during the day during the week.
- Professionalism around confidentiality: This position will have access to protected health information (PHI) and may only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform their designated role on behalf of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, regardless of the extent of access provided.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- African American Community Engagement: Extensive participation in the lived experiences and cultural contexts of African American communities, Queer and Transgender People of Color (QTPOC), and African American same-gender loving people.
- LGBTQIA Community Engagement: Extensive participation in the lived experiences and cultural contexts of LGBTQIA, Queer and Transgender People of Color (QTPOC), and same gender loving people.
- Judgment: Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; can clearly explain reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.
- Adaptability: Adapts to changes in work duties and organizational structure.
- Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; works with others to solve complex problems.
- Customer Service: Ability to work comfortably with many different communities and stakeholders; practices cultural humility, exhibits sensitivity to issues concerning HIV. Responds efficiently and cordially to requests for service and assistance.
- Professionalism: Reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration; follows through on commitments.
- Dependability: Completes tasks on time; takes responsibility for own actions; reliable.
- Professional Expectations: Demonstrated ability to fulfill the Foundation's professional expectations of accountability, active collaboration, commitment, communication, and professionalism. This position will have access to protected health information (PHI) and may only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform their designated role on behalf of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, regardless of the extent of access provided.
Supervision:
This position will not have any supervisorial responsibilities and will report to the Manager of Clinical Assistants & Volunteers (Strut)
Physical Requirements and Work Environments:
Skill in operating equipment such as a personal computer, copy machine and telephone system. Ability to assist the Capacity Building Clinical Services team in moving testing/program materials and organizing sites for counseling, testing, and events. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position may have exposure to blood borne pathogens and other infectious agents.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.
Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent.
This position will have access to protected health information (PHI) and may only access, use or disclose the minimum information necessary to perform their designated role on behalf of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, regardless of the extent of access provided.
Work Environment:
- This is a hybrid position, the position may choose to work remotely up to approximately 10% (for online trainings and some groups as outlined by some groups and preapproved activities) with occasional requirements to work on-site at our headquarters in San Francisco or travel to other locations as determined in the sole discretion of SFAF.
- Travel expenses for commuting to SFAF offices are not reimbursable.
- May require evening and weekend work.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for personnel so classified.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is an Equal Opportunity employer. We actively seek applications from people living with HIV/AIDS, people with disabilities, women, LGBTQ individuals and people of color.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Application Process:
Please visit our careers page at:
http://www.sfaf.org/about-us/careers/
POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
