Patient Advocate

General SummaryThe Patient Advocate supports Neighborhood Health Center in accordance with the policies of the Board of Directors, the CEO, and funding agencies. The Patient Advocate is a trusted member and has a close understanding of the community we serve. This trusted relationship enables the Patient Advocate to serve as a liaison and build rapport between our patients/families, our clinics/staff, health/social services, and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality of healthcare and introduce our patients to all elements of wellness. The Patient Advocate builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.Pay From $20.70 per hourStatus Full-time, non-exempt, M-FSupervisory Responsibilities NoneProfessional Behaviors & Expectations Routinely demonstrate a strong commitment to NHC’s behavioral standards by serving as a role model to others. Routinely demonstrate a strong professional behavior and representation of NHC to the community, to our patients and staff, and to all other agencies and vendors. Take ownership and hold others accountable. Actively promote behavioral standards to others. Praise good performance and consistently address those who fail to meet Neighborhood Health Center’s behavioral standards. Identify and implement recommendations on how service can be improved. Participates in continuing educational opportunities for personal growth and development. Adhere to confidentiality policies related to patients, family and visitors, staff, physicians and customers. Responsible for the protection of confidentiality of data at all times. Take pride and care in personal appearance and reports to work in attire that projects professionalism and respect. Hold staff accountable for adhering to dress code based on location guidelines at all times. Complete all required organization education and employee health requirements on time. Works to collaborate with lean strategies to identify and eliminate waste in time, supplies and resources. Works in a safe manner and follows all department safety requirements.Essential Duties And Responsibilities Establishes trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement. Uses standardized assessments to determine most appropriate evidenced based interventions. Provides support and advocacy prior to and during initial medical visit and when necessary to assure patient’s medical needs. Assists patients in understanding their care plans and instructions. Provides ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families. Assists patients with identifying socio-economic barriers that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals. Facilitates patient’s use of family, social and community resources; acting as an advocate with external resources and agencies and self-help programs. Provides/facilitates patients and their families with referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate. Participates in outreach events and community education to remain knowledgeable of community resources. Works closely with providers and clinical personnel assigned to the patient to ensure comprehensive and coordination of care plans. Exhibits professional working relations with patients, families, visitors and staff. Record patient care management information in EMR. Maintains HIPAA compliance at all times. Performs other duties, which may be assigned by the Care Coordination/Patient Advocate Supervisor. Arranges transportation services for any patient in need. Coordinates hospital follow up appointments for all patients. Manage Gleaners2Go program by assisting patients with enrolling and placing orders, leading and participating in each food distribution, and completing any follow up necessary to keep the program running.Requirements This position requires a high degree of confidentiality, initiative, diplomacy, visibility, and the exercise of sound and responsible judgment. Professionalism at all times as a representative of NHC in the community, to our patients and staff, and to all other agencies and vendors. Minimum high school graduate or equivalent required; Associate Degree in Business or related field preferred. Experience working and/or volunteering within behavioral health, substance abuse, health care or social services field will also be considered. MT, Paramedic, Medical Assistant, or CNA preferred. Medical terminology and/or background preferred. Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program required within first year of employment. Successful completion of Food Safety Certification within first 6 months of employment, which is required for Gleaners2Go program. Schedule flexibility to meet the needs of the patient/family along with participation with outreach events. Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Experience with EMR preferred. Spanish bilingual is preferred. Strong listening skills. Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients and their families. Strong prioritization, organizational skills. Skilled at recognizing and creating opportunities and leveraging resources. Commitment to cultural competency and sensitivity; experience working with individuals and groups from diverse racial, cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.Critical Success Factors Criteria for success for the Patient Advocate include:Build strong and trusted relationships for our patients and their families with our clinic staff and the communities we serve.Effective communication skills: written, verbal, listening, as well as timely follow-up for understanding.Effective time management and initiative.Salary Range Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefit Package to include health, dental, vision insurance, disability coverage, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, PTO, Long-Term Recognition, bereavement, educational reimbursement, shift and weekend differentials.Work EnvironmentOffice Setting and Outreach Events in the CommunityHours of Work: Base hours will be 8:00am to 4:30pm, but will need to be flexible to meet the needs of our patients and outreach events.Overtime: This is an hourly position, 40 hours per week. Overtime paid at time and a half after 40 hours per week.Work on Holidays: Possible, for outreach events.Work on Weekends: Possible, for outreach events.Work on Different Shifts: Possible, prior to 8:00 am and evenings to meet the needs of our patients and their families and outreach events.On-Call: NoTravel: Yes, for outreach events and between practicesPhysical RequirementsHeavy Lifting: Yes Exposure Limits: not more than 15 pounds 10% of the day; up to 50 pounds 10% of the weekPushing/Pulling: Yes Exposure Limits: 0-5 pounds 10% of the day; up to 50 pounds 10% of the weekStanding: Yes Exposure Limits: 20% of shift or lessSitting: Yes Exposure Limits: 80% of shift or lessWalking: Yes Exposure Limits: 30% of shift or lessClimbing: No Exposure Limits: N/AOther Exposures: Occasional dissatisfied patientThis description is intended to describe the general nature and most essential duties to be performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management has the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to the job at any time. All campuses are smoke-free.