Rita Lankas
Social Worker and HIV Testing Services Provider
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About
An enthusiastic, resourceful, and highly trainable professional with a strong academic background in Social Work and Community Development, complemented by practical training in HIV Testing Services (HTS). I am passionate about serving communities, promoting health awareness, and supporting vulnerable populations through effective social interventions and healthcare services. I possess a solid understanding of community dynamics, counseling techniques, and public health practices, which enables me to contribute meaningfully to both individual and community well-being.
Experience
Marketing Manager - Eserian Family Hospital
(2026-01)
- Develop and implement strategic marketing plans to promote hospital services, increase patient uptake, and enhance community awareness.
- Coordinate community outreach programs, health campaigns, and patient education initiatives in collaboration with clinical and social work teams.
- Manage the hospital's public image through digital platforms, print media, and local partnerships.
- Conduct market research to identify community health needs and adjust marketing strategies accordingly.
- Organize and oversee hospital events, including medical camps, open days, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.
Volunteer Peer Counselor - Prison Christian Ministries
(2025-01)
- Provide one-on-one and group peer counseling to incarcerate individuals, focusing on emotional support, behavioral change, and reintegration readiness.
- Facilitate rehabilitation and spiritual development sessions in collaboration with ministry leaders and prison authorities.
- Assist inmates in identifying personal challenges and developing practical coping strategies for stress, anger, and trauma.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to ethical counseling standards within the correctional facility environment.
- Conduct intake assessments and refer individuals to appropriate social work, medical, or legal services when needed.
Peer Counselor and Social Worker - WE World Foundation
(2024-09)
- Provide integrated peer counseling and social work services to community members, including teenage mothers vulnerable children, expectant teenagers, youth, and families.
- Conduct health sensitization sessions in schools for both children and parents, covering topics such as HIV prevention, hygiene, nutrition, mental health, and adolescent reproductive health.
- Facilitate separate parent forums and child-friendly sessions to address age-appropriate health education and family communication.
- Develop simple, culturally appropriate health education materials for school audiences.
- Coordinate with school administrators, teachers, and parent associations to schedule and implement sensitization programs.
- Distribution of sanitary towels.
Volunteer Social Worker & HTS Provider - Ololulunga Sub County Hospital
(2020-01)
- Provide psychosocial assessment, counseling, and support to patients and their families, including those with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges, and social vulnerabilities.
- Conduct client intake, case management, and follow-up to ensure continuity of care and linkage to community resources.
- Assist patients in accessing social services such as food assistance, housing, education support, and legal aid.
- Advocate for patients' rights and facilitate referrals to relevant government and non-governmental organizations.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records, progress notes, and reports for hospital and partner use.
Volunteer HTS Provider - Ololulunga Sub County Hospital
(2023-01)
- Provide confidential HIV pre-test and post-test counseling to clients of all ages in accordance with national HTS guidelines.
- Perform rapid HIV testing using approved testing algorithms and ensure quality control measures are followed.
- Link clients who test positive to care, treatment, and support services, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrollment.
- Provide risk reduction counseling and prevention messages, including condom distribution and education on PrEP/PEP.
- Conduct provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC) in outpatient and inpatient departments as requested.
- Maintain accurate HTS registers, daily logs, and reports for data entry and program monitoring.
Education
Diploma - Social Work & Community Development - Moi University (2018-01 - 2019-12)
Certificate - Social Development - Eldoret Technical Training Institute (2017-01 - 2018-12)
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - Kongotik High School (2013-01 - 2016-12)
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education - Ole Sankale Primary Boarding School (2003-01 - 2012-12)