Community Health Advocate

Job Requirements

JOB SUMMARY:

The Community Health Advocate will be responsible for helping patients and their families to adopt healthy behaviors and navigate /access community resources. As a priority, will actively promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients and their family by providing services such as blood pressure screening and completing social need assessments. Supports medical providers through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach by providing social support and informal counseling, and advocating for individuals and their community health needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Acts as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies (i.e. Healthcare providers, support groups, etc.)

2. Conducts intake interviews with patients, including enrolling and/or referring patients to healthcare provider.

3. Provides referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate. Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to needs of patients/families.

4. Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.

5. Provides ongoing follow-up with patients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other settings.

6. Works closely with health care team to help ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care. Follow-up with patients should be continuous from initial identification through closure.

7. Responsible for providing consistent communication to the Care Management Team.

8. Serves as coordinator to evaluate patient/family status, ensuring that provided information, and reports clearly describe progress.

9. Records patient care management information in the EMR (training provided) and other software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.

10. Facilitates the use of technology, such as telehealth consults, by community members as needed.

11. When required to make home visits, conducts visual inspection of the physical condition of the client's home to identify factors that may be detrimental to maintaining a safe, healthy and comfortable living environment.

12. Attends regular staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings as requested

13. Manages assigned caseload of patients.

14. Other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

1. High School Diploma or equivalent required.
2. Certified Nursing Assistant or certified Medical Assistant preferred.
3. Experience working in a multi-cultural community-based setting preferred

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Written and oral fluency in English required.

2. Basic computer skills.

3. Knowledge of some medical terminology.

4. Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately.

5. Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients.