Community Health Advocate

MedStar Health’s Washington Hospital Center; Rossville (MD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health’s Washington Hospital Center is seeking a Community Health Advocate to join our team. The role focuses on outreach to the target population, building sustainable relationships, and improving access to health care in the community through education and care coordination.

As a liaison between health and social services, you will connect patients to resources, support primary care teams, and empower residents with health knowledge and self-sufficiency by engaging in outreach,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Residency within the target population preferred.
• Participation with a community organization preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for individual and community health equity and helps residents communicate with health care providers.
• Identifies and addresses barriers to care and supports care plans within the care team.
• Identifies and refers individuals to health and human services programs; provides care coordination and education in community settings.
• Documents encounters and reports, maintains client files, and educates clients on proper use of health system services.
• Coaches patients in managing chronic conditions and fosters engagement in their health and wellbeing.

Skills

Community knowledge

Cultural competency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

About the Job

Job Summary: MedStar Health is looking for a Community Health Advocate to join our team. The ideal candidate will have personal knowledge of the target population, as shown by residency in that neighborhood, cultural competency, and knowledge of local resources and system navigation.

TheCommunity Health Advocate willtargetoutreach to community members, builds sustainable relationships that result in increased access to health care in the mostappropriate settingand community-based health education, and supports the primary care team.Providescare coordination and connection to resources and programs for patients to improve their health and general well-being through education and provision of coordination of care and services. Serves as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community tofacilitateaccess to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Builds individual and communitycapacityby increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, socialsupport,and advocacy

Primary Duties

• Advocates for individual and community health equity. Collects, tracks and reports information about the community and communitybenefits.Enhancescommunity residents’ ability to effectively communicate with health care providers.

• Identifiesand addresses issues that create barriers to care for specific individuals. Integrates withpatientcare team to support progress in careplanand overall patient wellness.May help patients access health-related services, including obtaining a medical home,providinginstruction onappropriate useof the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and/or social services.

• Proactivelyidentifiesand refers individuals to federal, state, private or nonprofit health and human services programs.Providescare, support, follow up, and education in community settings.Providesculturally and linguisticallyappropriate healtheducation.Providesevidence-based health guidance and socialassistanceto community residents.Providesreferral and follow-up services or otherwise coordinates human services options.

• Serves as a liaison between communities,individualsand coordinated health care organizations.Staffscommunity events and activities as needed. Mayassistpatients in their homes, community, or clinicsetting. Communicates topatientsthe purposes of the program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing. Helps patientsidentifysocio-economic issues that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals.

• Documents all patient encounters; completes andsubmitsmonthly reports;maintainscomprehensive electronic client files, which include client notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documentsacquiredon behalf of the patient. Documents activities, service plans, and outcomes achieved bypatientin an effective manner. Educatesclienton the proper use of the Emergency Room/Health systemservices andprovidesinformation for alternatives.Coachespatients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.Assistspatientsin understanding care plans and instructions. Motivates patients/clients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall wellbeing.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Residency within the target populationpreferred.

• Participation with a community organization, verified by personal or professional reference with personal knowledge of this fact preferred.

This position has a hiring range of

USD $20.57 - USD $36.27 /Hr.