Care Specialist

About the role

The Care Specialist is a key member of the team responsible for delivering chronic care management to high-complexity patients. The role primarily works in patients' homes and communities (90% of the time) and engages in virtual care (10% of the time).

Responsibilities

• Direct outreach to patients, guiding them through the enrollment process.
• Facilitating virtual appointments with providers.
• Ensuring patients adhere to care plans.
• Building relationships, coordinating care, and providing education.
• Promoting health, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations, and improving patient outcomes.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience (e.g., Community Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, Medical Assistant, etc.).
• High school diploma or GED required.
• A valid driver’s license, auto liability insurance, and reliable transportation to travel within the assigned territory.
• Experience in chronic care management or working with chronically ill/elderly patients.
• Technologically proficient with basic computer skills (typing, using EMR systems).
• Experience with motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and care coordination.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to engage patients and team members effectively.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage schedules, and work independently in an unstructured environment.

Qualifications

• Self-Starter & Motivation: Proactively takes initiative in managing patient care and outreach.
• Empathy & Compassion: Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understand their complex needs.
• Accountability & Integrity: Demonstrates personal responsibility and takes ownership of tasks, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all activities.
• Cultural Competence: Awareness of community dynamics and diversity, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive care.
• Team Collaboration: Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to meet patient and organizational goals.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Strong critical thinking skills to assess patient needs, analyze data, and develop appropriate care strategies.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, capable of explaining complex medical information to patients in a clear and supportive manner.
• Care Coordination: Ability to engage patients in a comprehensive care plan, facilitating communication between patients, providers, and family members to ensure timely, effective care.
• Health Education: Effectively educates patients about their medical conditions, care plans, and available resources, ensuring that patients can make informed decisions.
• Patient Engagement: Uses various strategies, including phone calls, home visits, and community outreach, to engage patients and ensure continuous participation in their care.
• Time Management & Organization: Demonstrates strong organizational skills by managing patient caseloads, schedules, and documentation efficiently.
• Technology Proficiency: Skilled in using electronic health records (EMR) systems and other digital tools to document patient information and communicate within the team.
• Motivational Interviewing & Patient-Centered Care: Uses motivational interviewing techniques to build rapport and empower patients to take ownership of their health decisions.
• Data Management: Ensures accurate and timely documentation of patient data, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with organizational standards.
• Outcome-Oriented Approach: Focuses on achieving key health outcomes, such as improved care adherence, reduction in emergency room visits, and enhanced self-management.

Skills

• Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in unstructured environments and pivot as needed to meet patient needs.
• Empathy & Compassion: Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and understand their complex needs.
• Self-Starter & Motivation: Proactively takes initiative in managing patient care and outreach.
• Accountability & Integrity: Demonstrates personal responsibility and takes ownership of tasks, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all activities.
• Cultural Competence: Awareness of community dynamics and diversity, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive care.
• Team Collaboration: Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to meet patient and organizational goals.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Strong critical thinking skills to assess patient needs, analyze data, and develop appropriate care strategies.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication, capable of explaining complex medical information to patients in a clear and supportive manner.
• Care Coordination: Ability to engage patients in a comprehensive care plan, facilitating communication between patients, providers, and family members to ensure timely, effective care.
• Health Education: Effectively educates patients about their medical conditions, care plans, and available resources, ensuring that patients can make informed decisions.
• Patient Engagement: Uses various strategies, including phone calls, home visits, and community outreach, to engage patients and ensure continuous participation in their care.
• Time Management & Organization: Demonstrates strong organizational skills by managing patient caseloads, schedules, and documentation efficiently.
• Technology Proficiency: Skilled in using electronic health records (EMR) systems and other digital tools to document patient information and communicate within the team.
• Motivational Interviewing & Patient-Centered Care: Uses motivational interviewing techniques to build rapport and empower patients to take ownership of their health decisions.
• Data Management: Ensures accurate and timely documentation of patient data, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with organizational standards.
• Outcome-Oriented Approach: Focuses on achieving key health outcomes, such as improved care adherence, reduction in emergency room visits, and enhanced self-management.

Benefits

Upward Health offers competitive benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, and more. Details will be provided during the hiring process.

Pay

California pay range: $23 USD - $24 USD

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate patients' needs.

Upward Health Core Values

At Upward Health, we believe in treating everyone with respect and dignity. We strive to provide exceptional care to our patients and foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. We value innovation, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of our work.

Upward Health YouTube Channel

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