Care Advocate Nurse

Atrium Health; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Atrium Health seeks a Care Advocate Nurse (RN or LPN) to partner with primary care teams, hospital care managers, and care transitions staff. The role focuses on building care plans, coordinating services, and ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective patient care across transitions.

Applicants should have RN with BSN; MSN preferred, or LPN with 4–5 years of clinical experience including UM case management in IPA/PHO/HMO settings. Excellent communication is essential.

Qualifications

• RN with BSN required; MSN preferred.
• LPN with 4–5 years clinical experience, 1–2 yrs in IPA/PHO/HMO UM case management.
• Active LPN/RN license.
• Experience in care coordination and UM processes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with PCP, care managers, and care teams to ensure effective transitions and quality care.
• Receive referrals and determine case type using department guidelines in EMR.
• Develop and implement individualized care plans aligned with PCP and SCP goals.
• Educate and coach patients using evidence-based guidelines and resources.
• Collaborate with inpatient and community care managers to facilitate safe transitions and timely discharges.
• Monitor progress and adjust plans; review changes with RN/SW oversight.

Skills

Case management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

CQI principles

Analytical skills

Education

RN

BSN

MSN preferred

LPN

Tools

EMR

Job description

Major Responsibilities

The Care Advocate Nurse (RN / LPN) will work with with patients’ primary care physician team/office, hospital care managers, Care Transitions Team, post acute care managers, and RN/SW care partners aimed at providing a model of patient care that ensures the delivery of quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare services. They may work embedded within an APP/AMG PCP or OB/specialist practice, or telephonically working with a care team.

• Receives referrals from licensed clinician for patients that have chronic, co-morbid conditions that are not within clinical goals, may have psychosocial issues contributing to non-adherence to their PCP/SCP's treatment plan. Contacts the patient and completes the questions in the department initial assessment within the department's EMR following department guidelines on content and timing. Completes the case criteria that recommends the case type- complex care management, disease management or care coordination based upon the results of the initial assessment.
• Communicates pertinent clinical and nonclinical patient information to physician by phone, email, practice EMR to affect appropriate outcomes.
• Develops and implements a Plan of Care for each patient from the outcome of the initial assessment, knowledge of the PCP and SCP's treatment plan including the patient's goals of care. The care plan focuses on the patient's active conditions and goals/interventions are prioritized using the clinical vulnerability that could result in potentially avoidable utilization. The care plan must also include barriers to reach the goal, timeframes and action steps to meet each goal. The LPN Care Plan is reviewed and approved for accuracy and completeness by a licensed RN/SW within the department.
• Utilizes evidence-based guidelines and protocols to educate/coach patient regarding resources, healthcare navigation, care needs and disease process.
• Collaborates with inpatient/SNF/HH care managers on difficult or complicated cases to facilitate a timely discharge and smooth care transitions between inpatient, SNF and homecare . Complies with department standards and guidelines of handing in information to the Inpatient Care managers within 24 hours of admission as well as member contact within 48-72 hours after members are transitioning from hospital or SNF home to promote safe transitions of care.
• Monitors member progress against the established plan of care to promote early intervention in acute situations. Patient contact frequency is determined by the care plan action steps and can range from daily, but no less than monthly. Reviews the plan of care monthly and adjusts the plans needed by identifying and overcoming barriers to care. Any changes to the patient care plan is re-reviewed by a licensed RN/SW from within the department.
• Demonstrates effective patient-engagement techniques, to maximize patients engaging and maintaining their active participation in care management . Demonstrates focused interpersonal skills to interact in an effective manner with practitioners, the interdisciplinary health care team, community agencies, employers, patients, and families with diverse opinions, values, and religious and cultural ideals.
• Collaborates with contracted/noncontracted vendors, community agencies/resources to provide timely services including quality outcomes, patient and physician satisfaction, cost and service levels. Coordinates and implements referrals by communicating directly with physician, patients/families, vendors, employers, agencies, HMOs, Medical Director, UM staff, Hospital Staff and other appropriate ancillary providers on a regular basis.
• Integrates evidence-based clinical guidelines, preventive guidelines, protocols, and other metrics in the development of patient care plans that are patient-centric, promoting quality and efficiency in the delivery of healthcare for the population served by Advocate Care.

As delegated by their licensed supervisor or assigned PCP, the LPN CC ,manages timely completion of activities and file documentation according to written procedures to ensure all necessary MCO and regulatory timeframe and content requirements are met. Maintains the appropriate number of cases, based on department expectations.

• Receives clinical oversight by a licensed RN or SW from within the department; is directly accountable for assigned caseload and physicians practice(s) and ensuring the department and regulatory requirements are met.
• Monitors and follows up on all cases, utilizing a tickler file, EMR, CM workflow software, including documentation of outcomes within department guidelines.
• Upon approval from his/her supervisor, work hours are adjusted to ensure completion of department guidelines, regulatory requirements as well as meeting patients face to face at their scheduled appointments or at their convenience. This may involve before 8am, after 5pm or Saturdays.
• Achieve and maintain score >90% on file audits performed by supervisor.

Understands and contributes to the department's defined Advocate Care measures and department KRAs

• Cognizant of and participates in assigned region, PHO site statistics, focus review, and KRA goals and actions.
• Cognizant of and participates in work efforts that will affect the CM's assigned practice's metrics to further refine the delivery of care model to maximize clinical, quality, and fiscal outcomes.

Effective communication with internal and external customers and care providers in a positive and professional fashion in order to promote patient/provider satisfaction, quality of care delivered and an increased awareness of appropriate utilization. Customers include but not limited to: External: primary care office team, inpatient care managers, hospitalists, specialists, community agencies and providers, employers Internal: Department CM Assistants and CHWs, Care Transitions Nurse Navigator (CTTN) Department medical directors, director, case management services, manager, case management, supervisor, case managers, referral technicians, PAN/HH/Palliative Care care continuum team members, peers

Licensure

Nurse, Licensed Practical (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN)

Education/Experience Required

RN, BSN. MSN preferred. 4-5 years of clinical experience with 1-2yrs of which in IPA, PHO, or HMO setting performing UM case management or referral authorization.

-OR-

LPN with 4-5yrs of clinical experience. 1-2yrs of which in IPA, PHO, or HMO setting performing UM case management or referral authorization.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

competent Computer navigation skills Ability to demonstrate excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills. Good organizational skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to handle multiple responsibilities. Knowledgeable in CQI principles. Critical thinking skills and ability to analyze complex data sets required

Active licensed LPN/RN