Health & Resource Advocate

Bargaining Unit: EA

Rate of Pay: $25.15/hour DOE

Summary

Health and Resource Advocates are primarily responsible for assisting in delivery of services that address the social drivers of health, and bridge gaps between communities, individuals and providers. They provide patient advocacy, supportive care, and assistance to culturally diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged patient populations to identify barriers to self-care, decision-making, communication, and navigating the healthcare system. They assist patients in determining eligibility for organizational programs or other forms of assistance. They work closely with all members of the healthcare team, and consistently demonstrate high standards of ethical behavior, professionalism, sensitivity and confidentiality.

Additionally, Health and Resource Advocates conduct community outreach and education, in addition to participating in programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Advocates for patients in a culturally appropriate and patient–centered model of care to gain access to community resources after evaluating needs by working collaboratively with the patient, family, community and government agencies.
• Resource assistance and linkages to appropriate agencies include but not limited to: housing insecurity, food insecurity, financial stressors, transportation needs, personal safety, access to health insurance, government programs, education classes, support groups.
• Reduce barriers to healthcare by acting as a patient advocate and assisting with navigation within the health system. Works with all patients, but populations of focus include: perinatal, pediatric, adult, aging and those under care of the Cancer Center.
• Provides basic health education to empower self-management of health care and improve health literacy.
• Participates in Tahoe Forest Health System medical appointments and interdisciplinary team meetings as necessary to meet patient and family needs.
• Patient contact may be either by phone, during clinic appointments, office visit, field or home visit.
• Builds understanding of the ethnicity, language, socio-economic status and life experiences of the community served to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• Works collaboratively within the Care Coordination department, within the health system and with community agencies.
• Effectively communicates with patients, families and members of the interdisciplinary care team using a variety of platforms, including mobile phone, WhatsApp, telephone and in person in clinic, office, field or home.
• Obtains additional trainings and/or certifications in specialty areas such as qualified medical interpretation, Camden Complex Care, motivational interviewing, health coaching, peer support, self-management leadership training, etc.
• Interprets and provides cultural mediation related to healthcare services or information for patients whose preferred language is Spanish.
• Contributes to the quality initiatives and data collection as requested.
• Participates in department meetings as indicated.
• Participates in community meetings as indicated to understand community issues and build relationships with community agencies.
• Participates in community health fairs as indicated to provide health education and screenings.
• Demonstrates System Values in performance and behavior.
• Complies with System policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required and assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education/Experience

No educational requirement and 6 months to 1 year relevant experience

Required Licenses/Certifications

Valid Driver's License in good standing

• Upon hire
  
  

Other Experience/Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma, or equivalent
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with strong communication skills in both the spoken and written language
• Certified or Qualified Medical Interpreter within one year of hire, or pending availability of class schedule
• Camden Complex Care Certification initiated within six months of hire, or pending availability of class schedule
• Strong interpersonal skills that encourage relationship building with a diverse group to facilitate advocacy
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily schedule
• Ability to learn health content and ability to teach such to others
• Ability to work collaboratively within the health system team and with other community partners
  
  

Preferred:

• Stanford Chronic Disease Management and/or self-management training
• Knowledge of the Truckee/North Tahoe area, local community resources and health/social services agencies