Patient Care Advocate

Overview of Position: Under administrative supervision of the Clinical Projects Manager, the Patient Care Advocate will be responsible for coordination of care between clients, medical providers and the infectious disease specialist. The role of the patient care advocate is to bridge the gap between the provider and the client that facilitates the medical and psychosocial care of the client.

Qualifications: A four-year degree in a related field is required; equivalence 4+ years related experience; equivalence acceptance to be determined by supervisor. The patient care advocate must have a general HIV and medical knowledge. The patient care advocate should have the ability to work with clients and physicians from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles while maintaining non-judgmental attitude. The patient care advocate must be a team player and be able to multi-task. Possess excellent customer service skills. The patient care advocate must be able to make sound judgment based on the criteria outlined in the program.

Knowledge/Skills: Ability to utilize computer software equipment and maintain basic excel spreadsheets, logs, and records for data collection purposes. Ability to work as part of a team and with the health care providers in a clinical setting. Honesty and Genuine compassion for the individuals living with healthcare disparities. Ability and willingness to accept direction from supervisor. Good written and verbal communication skills. Ability to take initiative and handle various tasks simultaneously while working efficiently, effectively, and independently without direct supervision. Knowledge of adult learning principles, management leadership principles, and community resources. Knowledge of data bases i.e. Excel spreadsheets, EMR, etc.

Essential Job Functions:
• Works in a team setting as one component of the clients coordinated care.
• The PCA is an advocate for the client and maintains a relationship with the client that fosters trust and understanding distinct from the provider role.
• Serves as a role model that provides reliable information, appropriate referrals, and emotional support.
• Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, to include making recommendations for strategies to improve quality of care.
• Must follow all regulations as outlined by HIPAA and be able to use good judgment regarding confidentiality issues.
• Responds to phone calls in a respectful and timely manner.
• Responsible for medication log sample med list sign out.
• Responsible for being sure the client provided with instructions on how to take the medications that issued.
• Keep work areas neat and tidy.
• Faxing of records/authorizations in a timely manner.
• Ability to advocate for the client by bringing concerns about the services to the attention of the provider, supervisor or other management.
• Participation in training opportunities to enhance knowledge such as conferences and continuing education/in-service events.
• Provides the clients with consistent and reliable medical information and shares with family as deemed appropriate by the client.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Physical Requirements: Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone. Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone. Vision: abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Other: Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

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