Berkeley Free Clinic
HIV Prevention Services (HPS) Section Application
2339 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704-1670
(510) 548-2570 (Ex 2275)
[email protected]
Overview
The Berkeley Free Clinic (BFC) is a collective organization that has been providing dental and medical care,
peer counseling, and community referrals since 1969 as well as free and anonymous HIV testing since 1989.
The HIV Prevention Services (HPS) section provides HIV counseling and testing services every Saturday from
1:00pm-5:00pm for women and trans-people only until 3:00pm and for everyone after, and on Sundays from
3:30-9pm for everyone. We are a volunteer-run organization that relies heavily on the committed members of
our collective.
The role of an HIV Test Counselor is to provide non-judgmental counseling to help clients assess their own risk
for HIV. We do this by asking open-ended questions, sharing information, and exploring options that are
relevant to and reasonable for the client. We emphasize harm reduction, client-centeredness, and a sexpositive attitude.
APPLICATION PROCESS
We are currently accepting applications for volunteer HIV Test Counselors. The deadline for the application is
August 28th, 2015. There are three stages to the application process:
1. This application (see pages 4 and 5).
2. An in-person interview (we will interview the earliest applicants first).
3. Attending a full Sunday shift from 3:30pm-9:00pm to observe and shadow.
Each stage is an opportunity for us to get to know you and assess if you are a good fit for HPS. Likewise, they
are opportunities for you to explore BFC and HPS before committing to volunteering.
Additionally, you are required to attend an All-Clinic Orientation. These occur on the 3rd Monday of each
1
month at 7:30pm in the Scottosaurus room at the Berkeley Free Clinic. This orientation will provide you with
general information about the clinic and services provided by all the sections. You may submit your application
prior to attending this orientation.
TRAINING PROCESS
The training will take place September 2015 - March 2016. There will be a introductory potluck to kick off the
training the week of September 7th. Our training has the reputation of being one of the most comprehensive
programs in California. In exchange for your time and commitment, you will gain skills and experience that will
change your fucking life. Here is an overview:
● Intensive classes twice a month (see list on next page) on Saturdays, 9:30am-5:30pm.
● Two counseling shifts a month (Saturday 1:00pm-5:00pm and/or Sunday 3:30pm-9:00 pm). You will
apprentice by observing counselors, being observed on your own counseling, applying what you’ve
learned in classes and readings, reflecting on counseling sessions, setting up, and cleaning up.
● Meetings and side projects (see details on next page). You can expect a few additional weeknight
meetings over the course of the training.
● Throughout the training you will be provided with valuable feedback regarding your participation,
counseling skills, and potential as a collective member by members of HPS and other trainees.
Providing client-centered counseling and being part of a collective is an exciting prospect. It requires
commitment, participation, and training. It is for this reason that all trainees will be expected to attend all
training events and to fulfill all requirements.
However, life happens, and sometimes it is not possible to be present for every training event. Accordingly, if
you miss more than two classes or do not come to two shifts per month, we will need to discuss with you how
the training is working and how HPS is fitting into your life.
2015-2016 HPS Training Outline**
Trainees will come to at least 2 shifts per month throughout training. In
the first month, trainees will come to at least 1 shift.
Week of September 7th: Introductory Potluck
9/19/15 HIV | Intro to Counseling (HIPAA Module)
10/03/15 HIV Fingerstick Training | Queer / Allyship / Privilege (Reading
Group)
10/17/15 Risk Assessment/Counselor’s Toolbox | Crit/Self-Crit (Reading
Group
(In the month of October) Mock Counseling Sessions
11/07/15 Drug and Harm Reduction | STI’s
11/21/15 Building and Security / PEP| Results
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12/05/15 Linkage to Care | Referrals
12/12/15 (written evals due 12/06) Midterm Potluck and Evaluation
1/9/16 *Vaginal and Reproductive Health | Risky Behaviors
1/23/16 Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault | Self-Care
(Reading Group)
2/6/16 Transgender Awareness | United in Anger Screening
2/20/16 Structural Barriers (Reading Group) | Advanced Counseling
3/5/16 Collectivity / History | Principles of Unity
3/9/16 Final Potluck and Evaluations
* indicates that class time can be moved based on cohort preferences. we understand that these dates are
close to vacations for many people
Because everyone in HPS is a volunteer, sometimes we need to change around the order of classes and the
dates. Occasionally, we add classes based on trainee interest and changes in clinic protocols. We involve
trainees in making these changes when they need to happen.
Additional training requirements include:
● 2 HPS business meetings (every 3rd Sunday of the month)
● 1 business meeting of another clinic section (your choice)
● 1 all clinic meeting
● Read designated articles outside of class
● 1 site visit to an HIV/AIDS provider
● Off-shift tasks/mini-project
Additional training opportunities may include:
● Outreach training
● More in-depth training on STI screening
POST-TRAINING MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Section membership is voted on by the current section members. Once you become a member of HPS (after
your training is complete), you commit yourself to the following:
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●
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At least 6 HPS shifts every quarter (i.e. every 3 months).
At least 3 HPS business meetings over two quarters.
At least 9 hours off-shift tasks every quarter.
1 all-clinic meeting per year.
Full participation in the clinic (both in HPS and outside the section) for AT LEAST ONE YEAR.
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HIV PREVENTION SERVICES SECTION APPLICATION
Please answer the following questions and e-mail to [email protected]
Name:
Email:
Phone:
1. How did you learn about this volunteer opportunity? Do you know anyone at the Berkeley Free Clinic?
Have you ever volunteered with, or applied to volunteer at, the Clinic?
2. Why do you want to be an HIV test counselor? Why do you think you would be a good one?
3. There are many places in the Bay Area where one can be an HIV test counselor. Why do you want to be a
test counselor specifically at the Berkeley Free Clinic?
4. HPS training is a big commitment of time and energy, taking at least 8 hours a week. What are your current
commitments, and how does training fit into those?
5. Please give an example of when you had to set aside your personal judgments or beliefs in order to help
someone.
6. Describe a time when someone gave you direct feedback about your behavior. How did you respond to
and use this feedback?
7. Describe a situation where you were asked to defend your views or answer criticism in front of a group.
How did you handle that?
8. Friction can sometimes occur between group members and coworkers, which reduces their ability to work
together effectively. Describe an example where that happened. How did you deal with it?
9. BFC is a collective, which means there are no supervisors to report to or managers to direct you. Do you
have any experience working with a collective like this? If so, what were the pros and cons of that
structure? If you don’t have experience with a collective, what do you imagine the pros and cons would
be?
10. What role have alcohol and other drugs played in your life?
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11. Choose 8 of the following 11 sentences, select one of the following responses for each and explain your
answer in 3-5 sentences:
Strongly agree — Agree — Sometimes agree — Sometimes disagree — Disagree — Strongly disagree
A. Unprotected sex always puts you at risk for HIV/STDs.
B. Gay men are irresponsible and obsessed with sex.
C. Twelve-year-olds should be able to get an HIV test without their parents knowing.
D. Corporations profiting from health care is reasonable.
E. People who engage in BDSM are in abusive relationships.
F. People who use mobile dating apps (e.g. OkCupid, Tinder, Grindr, Growlr, Scruff) have too much sex.
G. It is harder for poor people of color to be healthy.
H. Transgender women are obligated to come out to their partners.
I. It is important to teach women how to not get raped.
J. People are homeless because of choices they’ve made, such as drug addiction.
K. Sex workers are more likely to have STDs than regular people.
12. What other fabulous things should we know about you? (examples: do you have experience in a collective,
do you speak more than one language, do you make good cakes, are you an artist, do you have experience
fundraising, etc.)
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