Patient Advocate

The Patient Advocate provides advocacy for Pascua Yaqui individuals and families to promote health and wellness. The primary goal of the Patient Advocate is to support the Health Services Division Mission of providing comprehensive, quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all who may have healthcare needs by successfully performing the primary essential functions of their position. Collaborates with clinical team members to facilitate unmet health care needs of our patients and their families. This will require outreach activities in the community, receiving referrals from clinical team members for addressing basic needs and advocacy, coordinating care with case management, other team members and documenting in the BPRM/RPMS system.  The primary functions of the Patient Advocate are performing administrative duties and processing demographic intake, eligibility screening in the Health-E Plus system, determination of eligibility for services offered by the PYHSD and its varied operations. The incumbent in this position will demonstrate an advanced and comprehensive understanding of community, government, and private social service/agencies and programs; serves as an informational resource to clients and staff members. The Patient Advocate works with intermittent supervision and review.  

1. Provide individual, family and community services that promote the well-being of Pascua Yaqui individuals and families
2. Provide casework services to tribal members to help them seek and obtain services such as Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, Food stamps, Medicare, AHCCCS, etc. for which members may be eligible.
3. Establish and maintain regular contact with the Senior Center, El Rio Health Center, Dialysis Centers, Indian Health Services (IHS). 
4. Solicit and accept referrals for clients who require assistance and/or advocacy in obtaining needed health care services. 
5. Performs all assigned tasks, responsibilities, and assignments supporting departmental operations within established periods; and demonstrating the highest levels of professionalism, quality, efficiency, and accuracy that exhibits the highest standards of excellence. 
6. Understands and complies with all organizational Code of Conduct standards, Policies and Procedures, and Service Excellence requirements with all patients, and other internal/external clients or representatives. 
7. Maintains patient confidentiality by controlling the environment and information being disclosed to authorized individuals ensuring compliance with all HIPAA and corporate compliance standards. 
8. Gains and maintains a comprehensive and advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise on governmental and private healthcare programs, such as: Affordable Care Act, Health-E Arizona Plus, Kids Care etc. 
9. Gains and maintains all training requirements and certifications necessary for eligibility and enrollment processing; to serve as a Certified Application Counselor for the Affordable Care Act; supports and assists consumers with public access and enrollment to HEA Plus and ACA Marketplace applications utilizing web-based systems and software.
10. Provides timely and accurate scheduled or ad hoc reporting to internal/external departments or representatives, such as: client eligibility status, system generated reports.
11. Creates presentations and materials that will meet the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Systems (CMS) guidelines and approval. 
12. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director.

Knowledge of:

• Theories, principles, and practices of social work with special emphasis on population of poverty.
• Knowledge of Community resources.
• Customer Service best practices including building a rapport with clients.
• Experience with AHCCCS enrollment
• Knowledge of HIPAA requirements
• Knowledge of standard health insurance plans: those offered by PYT for employees, the Marketplace exchange, and level of coverage terminology
• Tribal, State and Federal laws as it relates to patient advocacy.
• Yaqui culture, customs, resources, and traditions and/or a willingness to learn.

 Skills and Abilities:

• Interviewing and collecting pertinent information for social, educational, and environmental assessments.
• Word processing/computer equipment.
• Counsel and interact effectively with individuals, families, and tribal community groups.
• Manage workload and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Follow written and verbal instruction.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including a computer and related software applications.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisor, management, Council members, and the public. 
• Ability to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive verbal and written work instructions.
• A comprehensive and advanced understanding/knowledge of community and government social services/agencies that provide direct support for economically and/or socially disadvantaged populations.
• Ability to be sensitive and empathetic to the issues and concerns of economically and/or socially disadvantaged populations.
• Ability in organizing and balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Ability to multi-task and maintain a professional composure in stressful situations. 
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

High School Diploma or GED Two (2) years experience in case management and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Current Healthy Plus assistor, or Certified Application Assistor/Counselor for the Affordable Care Act. AND

• Experience in working with Native American population preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred

  Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver's license.
• This position will require the incumbent to work non-traditional hours, nights, and weekends.
• Must have a current Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card or be able to obtain the Level 1 Arizona Clearance Card within ninety (90) days of hire. Failure to maintain a current Level 1 Clearance Card will result in termination.
• Upon employment, obtain and maintain certification and licensing as a Certified Application Counselor for the Affordable Care Act

Salary : $44,075