Clinical Assistant Intern - Strut - $24

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 Qual