Patient Advocate - Dept. Internal Medicine

Job Purpose

The Patient Advocate serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical care team and responsible for providing supportive services to persons living with HIV or those affected by HIV. The Patient Advocate will assist primarily the families of adult and perinatal patients with navigating the health care system to ensure those living with HIV remain in care and works to reduce barriers that may complicate their health and well-being.

This position primarily helps patients with Early Intervention Services, Ryan White Client Eligibility Enrollment, Health Insurance Coverage, Counseling Testing Services, Referrals, Advocacy, Problem-Solving and other related services.

Essential Functions

• Provide patient with orientation to clinical and supportive services and assist them in assessing needed services by conducting an intake and bio-psychosocial assessments.
• Conduct Ryan White Client Eligibility verification as required.
• Coordinates HIV case management or non-medical case management services to ensure patient has access to full range of needed community services.
• Conduct routine monitoring and follow-up with patients through face-to face, phone calls and home visits.
• Provides Health Education and Risk Reduction strategies to patients.
• Assist with crisis intervention.
• Perform Early Intervention Services and linkage to care.
• Collaborate and network with community partners, agencies and health organizations supporting HIV services and patient care.
• Prepare program reports and enter data into Care Ware or other related database systems.
• Provides pre and post-test counseling, obtain specimen for confirmatory testing, refers as appropriate and maintain records for MDHHS.
• Organize and engage in community advisory board meetings, support group activities and special events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.