Care Advocate Coordinator

Department: 85042 Wake Forest University Health Sciences - Academic Public Health Sciences: Epidemiology Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hours Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: First Shift Pay Range: $30.70 - $46.05 The Care Advocate Coordinator serves as the trusted point of contact for pregnant and postpartum patients from enrollment through 12 months postpartum. The role combines empathetic engagement, structured brief assessment/intervention, care planning with shared decision-making, motivational interviewing techniques, closed loop referrals, and consistent communication with OB, pediatrics, primary care, behavioral health, and community partners. The Care Advocate Coordinator documents all contacts, follows site safety protocols, and contributes to quality improvement and evaluation. This role is for individuals with social work, behavioral health, or related backgrounds, working in close partnership with nursing staff for medical questions or elevated clinical concerns. Qualifications Minimum • Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in social work, counseling, psychology, nursing, or related field. • ≥2 years in care coordination/case management or patient navigation. • Experience conducting mental health/SUD risk assessments, brief interventions, and referrals. • Knowledge of community resources and patient advocacy; experience with diverse populations and equity‑focused, trauma‑informed care. • Proficiency with technology‑enabled communication (texting platforms, telehealth) and accurate documentation. Preferred *Prior experience in obstetrics or maternal health • Knowledge of SDoH and community resource networks • Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred Key Responsibilities Clinical/Coordination • Review automated screening results and relevant EHR information daily. • Conduct phone (preferred) or video (if needed) brief assessments for positive screens (mental health, substance use, IPV, SDoH, highrisk conditions). • Deliver brief interventions (SBIRT principles), education, and collaborative care plans using motivational interviewing and shared decision-making. • Triage and manage nonemergent risks; escalate medical concerns to nursing/clinical partners and behavioral health emergencies per SOPs (suicide, overdose, psychiatric crisis, IPV danger). • Complete warm handoffs; schedule with internal/external providers; ensure information exchange consistent with privacy laws and consents. • Confirm engagement with referrals; troubleshoot barriers (transport, childcare, cost, coverage, language, etc.); re-engage as needed. Documentation & Communication • Document assessments, plans, and follow-ups in the program platform and per EHR standards (progress notes, messages). • Communicate promptly with clinical teams about risks, plans, and updates; use closed loop processes. • Maintain accurate, timely worklogs and dashboards for fidelity and monitoring. Resources & Partnerships • Contribute to building and updating the site resource library; tailor resource lists to geography and patient preferences. • Collaborate with community partners, and behavioral health partners to strengthen pathways and reduce handoff failures. Quality, Training & Evaluation • Participate in onboarding, case practicums, supervision (case staffing/consultation), and ongoing learning collaborative activities. • Use embedded reports to monitor timeliness, follow-up completion, and referral success; contribute to continuous quality improvement. • Support data quality activities and periodic evaluation. Core Competencies • Empathy and cultural humility • Strong organizational and communication skills • Comfort discussing sensitive topics which may include mental health, substance use, intimate partner violence, social determinants of health, discrimination and disrespectful care. • Collaborative spirit and adaptability • Commitment to advancing equity and respectful care Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job Incentive pay for select positions Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more Paid Time Off programs Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits. This is Transformation One shared purpose brought us together. Now, as one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States, our combined strength and stability drives us forward. Starting with You Caring for nearly 3 million people has inspired a transformation. One in which the patient’s experience guides our vision and empowers us to offer new possibilities in our communities. Reshaping Access What is access? It’s offering more sites of care than any other health system in the Midwest. But there’s a new frontier. Access is exploring the latest technologies to deliver care to patients exactly where they are and exactly when they need it Inspiring Professionals With our dynamically inclusive workforce and strong connections to the places where we live and work, we’ll touch more lives and contribute to stronger and more vibrant communities. Transforming Care We’re redefining the standard for care with world-class doctors and caregivers, innovative solutions, outstanding outcomes, and leading-edge research and clinical trials. Combined, Advocate and Aurora are recognized for clinical excellence in: Cardiovascular Care Neurosciences Gynecology Oncology Pediatrics Primary Care Neurology Geriatrics Trauma Care