Regional Patient Advocate

Regional Patient Advocate

GENERAL SUMMARY: The Regional Patient Advocate is responsible to screen patients on-site at hospitals for eligibility assistance programs. They travel within an assigned region to provide additional coverage as needed, and to cover for Representatives who are ill, on leave, or out of the office for any reason.

Foundation Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities Required: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide information and reports to our client contact(s) to keep them up to date on our progress.
• Possibly be assigned a small workload of accounts to resolve.
• Cover at facilities within an assigned region when the onsite representatives are out of the office.
• Screen those patients that are referred to Firstsource for State, County, and/or Federal eligibility assistance programs.
• Initiate the application process bedside possible.
• Identify specific patient needs and assist them with an application for the appropriate assistance.
• Introduce the patients to Firstsource services and inform them that we will be contacting them on a basis about their progress.
• Lay the groundwork for the Patient Advocate Specialist to develop a positive relationship with the patient.
• Legibly record all patient information on the designated intake screening sheet, and log account screening detail in Onsite Reporting TOOL.
• Document the results of the screening in the hospital system.
• Inform the designated hospital employee(s) of the availability of assistance for each patient in a timely manner.
• Outside field work as required to patient home visits to screen for eligibility of State, County, and Federal programs.
• Other duties as assigned or required by client contract.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a positive working relationship with the hospital staff of all levels and departments.
• Access information for the Patient Advocate Specialist as needed (discharge dates, balances, itemized medical, etc.).
• Adhere to prescribed policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and the Employee Code of Conduct.
• Maintain awareness of and actively participate in the Corporate Compliance program.
• Assist with other projects as assigned by management.

Educational/Vocational/Previous Experience Recommendations:

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 1-3 years' experience with medical billing, coding, eligibility (government or hospital) or other pertinent medical experience is preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to multiple local facilities as needed.
• Basic personal computer skills are required.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with coworkers, patients, outside agencies, and hospital employees.
• Ability to present oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Ability to stay on task with little or no supervision.
• Demonstrate initiative and creativity in fulfilling job responsibilities.
• Possess excellent organization skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a busy work environment.
• Reliability of task completion and follow-up.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work, sit, and stand for extended periods of time.
• Dress code and other policies may be different at each healthcare facility.
• Travel to and from multiple facilities.
• Working on holidays or odd hours may be required at times.