The Patient Advocate works directly with beneficiaries and families who have filed an appeal of their discharge or termination of services to decrease the likelihood of readmission to acute inpatient care. This position description applies to full-time and part-time Patient Advocates.

Primary Duties:

*Provides education, advocacy, resource access, and targeted support to assist beneficiaries and their representatives.

*Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to beneficiaries and their representatives.

*Develops and maintains working relationships with community agencies.

*Acts as a neutral liaison for beneficiaries and their representatives.

*Informs beneficiaries and other interested parties of their rights and responsibilities as patients covered by the Medicare program.

*Collaborates with internal and external Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) staff to develop and implement healthcare improvement projects.

*Protects the confidentiality of patient information through compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).

*Attends annual security awareness, rules of conduct, and conflict of interest training.

*Performs other duties as assigned.

Must be detail-oriented and knowledgeable of medical procedures, such as diagnosis and treatment methods. Must have a proven ability to navigate the healthcare system.

*Either

*A minimum of two to four years of experience in acute case management, in transition of care, or in social services is preferred.

Essential Skills:

*Ability to work closely with all types of individuals.

*Ability to listen to others.

*Ability to organize and coordinate multiple simultaneous tasks in a team environment.

*Ability to follow complex written and oral instructions.

*Ability to collect data, distinguish relevant material, and exercise sound judgment.

*Problem-solving skills.

*Ability to maintain objectivity.

*Strong computer keyboarding skills.

*Ability to write in standard, plain English language.

*Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

*Ability to communicate accurately, consistently, timely, clearly, empathetically, respectfully, and effectively with beneficiaries, representatives, and providers, both verbally and in writing.

Organizational "Fit" Considerations:

Schedules may vary and may include weekends and holiday shifts. Requires established, professional relationships internally with people at all levels, with physicians, and with others outside the company.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.