Volunteering to Be a Counselor

AHP depends on the efforts of many volunteer HIV and STD test counselors and phlebotomists (the people who do the fingerstick for rapid testing, draw blood for standard HIV testing, and collect specimens for STD testing). AHP offers volunteers training and ongoing support and asks for a one-year commitment of at least two four-hour shifts a week. For more information, please contact Francis Salmeri at 415-476-6443 or francis.salmeri@ucsf.edu.

Test Counselors
Volunteers learn to provide client-centered counseling, helping people to assess their personal risk of HIV infection and providing appropriate prevention education and risk reduction support. Counselors also provide support and make referrals to community resources for clients whether they test positive or negative. Volunteers receive extensive training and ongoing supervision to enable them to do this important and sensitive work.

Phlebotomists
AHP offers certified phlebotomists an opportunity to donate their services to the broadest spectrum of San Francisco residents. Venipuncture follows San Francisco Department of Public Health guidelines. Phlebotomists may also be called upon to assist with any medical emergencies that may arise. Requires one year's experience drawing blood and current California certification ((CPT I).