Care Advocate

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: 1st shift Pay Range: $30.70 - $46.05 The Care Advocate serves as the trusted point of contact for pregnant and postpartum patients from enrollment through 12 months postpartum. This role integrates empathetic engagement, brief clinical assessment within scope of practice, education, proactive care coordination, and consistent communication with OB, pediatrics, primary care, behavioral health, and community partners. This role is for individuals with nursing backgrounds (RN or LPN), who will address routine medical questions, reinforce clinical care plans, and elevate behavioral health or psychosocial concerns to behavioral health partners. Qualifications Active RN or LPN license ≥2 years of experience in obstetrics, maternal/newborn care, family medicine, or pediatrics Experience in care coordination, triage nursing, patient education, or case management. Familiarity with trauma-informed care, health equity principles, and working with diverse populations. Proficiency with technology-enabled communication (texting platforms, telehealth) and accurate documentation. Experience in community health, mental health, lactation support, perinatal safety, or chronic disease management. 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 brief clinical assessments within licensure/scope related to symptoms, medical follow-up, postpartum concerns, and risk monitoring. Provide education on prenatal/postpartum self-management, warning signs, chronic disease management (e.g., hypertension), newborn care basics, lactation, and medication adherence. Reinforce provider treatment plans, ensure follow-up appointments, and coordinate communication across OB, pediatrics, primary care, behavioral health, and specialty services. Triage nonemergent medical issues; elevate behavioral health/SUD/social risk issues to MSW/LPC partners and emergencies per SOPs. Complete warm handoffs; schedule internal/external appointments; ensure appropriate consent and information exchange. Confirm engagement with referrals; troubleshoot barriers; re-engage as needed. Documentation & Communication Document assessments, education, plan updates, and follow-ups in the program platform and per EHR standards. Communicate promptly with clinical teams about medical concerns, risk changes, or updates using closed-loop communication. Maintain accurate logs 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 support whole-person care. Quality, Training & Evaluation Participate in onboarding, clinical refresher trainings, supervision/case consults, and 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 clinical assessment and patient education skills 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 Collaborates and communicates with continuum care partners – PAN, HH, Inpatient CM, UM, OON, CTTN team members to keep all care team members apprised as needed. Refers members to appropriate disease management and/or quality improvement or pharmacy programs (CHF, asthma, DM). Participates in physician/office, staff, employer orientation/update seminars. Licensure Nurse, Licensed Practical (LPN) Education / Experience Required 4–5 years of clinical experience; 1–2 years in IPA, PHO, or HMO setting performing UM case management or referral authorization. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required Competent computer navigation skills. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills. Good organizational skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to handle multiple responsibilities. Knowledgeable in CQI principles. Critical thinking skills and ability to analyze complex data sets. Active licensed LPN. Physician Requirements and Working Conditions Ability to work independently. Regional travel for meetings, orientation, etc. Ability to handle stress and high workload volumes. Flexible with work hours, including early evening until 8 pm, Saturdays, on-call. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts >35 pounds, patient handling equipment and assistance required; case-by-case assessment. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. 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. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr