Patient Advocate

About the role

The Patient Advocate supports Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) in accordance with the policies of the Board of Directors, the CEO, and funding agencies. The Patient Advocate is a trusted member with a close understanding of the community served, acting as a liaison to build rapport between patients/families, clinics/staff, health/social services, and the community to facilitate access to services and improve healthcare quality. This role builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self‑sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. The position is funded through the Rural Health Transformation grant and is approved for one year only; employment is at‑will during this period. The grant may be renewed for a second year if funding continues and program requirements and outcomes are achieved. If the grant is not renewed, the position will end at the conclusion of the one‑year funding period. Continued employment opportunities may be available through other grants, contracts, partnerships, or organizational funding, subject to funding availability, program needs, and organizational approval.

Responsibilities

• Establish trusting relationships with patients and families while providing general support and encouragement.
• Use standardized assessments to determine appropriate evidence‑based interventions.
• Provide support and advocacy prior to and during initial medical visits and as needed to assure patient medical needs.
• Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.
• Provide ongoing follow‑up, basic motivational interviewing, and goal setting with patients/families.
• Assist patients with identifying socioeconomic barriers affecting health and develop health/social management plans and goals.
• Facilitate patient use of family, social, and community resources; act as an advocate with external agencies and self‑help programs.
• Provide/facilitate referrals for patients and families to community agencies as appropriate.
• Participate in outreach events and community education to remain knowledgeable of community resources.
• Work closely with providers and clinical personnel assigned to the patient to ensure comprehensive coordination of care plans.
• Exhibit professional working relations with patients, families, visitors, and staff.
• Record patient care management information in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Maintain HIPAA compliance at all times.
• Arrange transportation services for any patient in need.
• Coordinate hospital follow‑up appointments for all patients.
• Manage the Gleaners2Go program by assisting patients with enrollment and ordering, leading and participating in each food distribution, and completing necessary follow‑up to keep the program running.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Care Coordination/Patient Advocate Supervisor.
• No supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

• Education: High school graduate or GED equivalent; Preferred Associate degree in business or related field such as medical assistant, paramedic, medical technologist (MT), or certified nursing assistant (CNA).
• Experience: 6 months experience working in customer service or with the public; Preferred previous work experience in the medical field and knowledge of medical terminology; Experience with an electronic health record (EHR); Spanish bilingual.
• Licensure/Certification: Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification – certified or successful completion of CHW formal training program within first year of employment; Food Safety Certification – certified or successful completion within first 6 months of employment (required for the Gleaners2Go program).

Skills

• High degree of confidentiality, initiative, diplomacy, visibility, and exercise of sound and responsible judgment.
• Professionalism at all times as a representative of NHC in the community, to patients and staff, and to all other agencies and vendors.
• Schedule flexibility to meet the needs of patients/families and to participate in outreach events.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong listening skills.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to patients and their families.
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills.