Native American Patient Advocate - Nursing Administration

Sanford Health; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health system in Bemidji seeks a Native American Patient Advocate to develop culturally appropriate services for Native American patients. This role involves facilitating access to care, bridging communication gaps, and providing navigation support within the healthcare system. Candidates with knowledge of local Tribal Nations and experience in social work are encouraged to apply. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in professional supervised settings related to social work.
• Knowledge of local Tribal Nations entities demographics and culture.
• Prior experience in hospital and clinical environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide navigation services during care coordination.
• Bridge communication gaps between medical staff and patients.
• Advocate for optimal outcomes and address cultural gaps in care.
• Collaborate with community resources for patient support.
• Implement cultural traditions to enhance patient relationships.

Skills

Cultural advocacy

Communication skills

Knowledge of Native American culture

Education

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Associate’s degree in social work/sciences

Job description

Overview

Sanford Health is one of the largest and fastest-growing not-for-profit health systems in the United States. We’re proud to offer many development and advancement opportunities to our nearly 50,000 members of the Sanford Family who are dedicated to the work of health and healing across our broad footprint.

Job Details

Work Shift: 8 Hours - Day Shifts (United States of America)

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Salary Range: $22.50 - $36

Union Position: No

Department Details

Round and provide advocacy for the Native American community members at Joe Lueken Cancer Center and the Bemidji Medical Center.

Summary

The Native American Patient Advocate specializes in Native Nation outreach and service provision activities while promoting the mission and core values of Sanford Health. This non-clinical role will assist in the development and delivery of culturally appropriate services to Native American patients in both ambulatory and inpatient settings, addressing barriers to care and enhancing patient experience. Partners across departments to address access to cultural related requests, care issues, and coordinates, navigates, educates, procures services for, and manages the care of patients to facilitate culturally appropriate achievements of quality and cost-effective patient outcomes. Ensures patients have appropriate space and support to practice cultural values and protocols as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide navigation services to interested patients during care coordination, advocacy, facility processes, and policies.
• Bridge communication and cultural gaps between medical staff and patient/family.
• Address patient-specific cultural, spiritual, physical and mental health needs and assist in incorporating cultural values, cultural requests, and cultural daily activities into patients\' care plans.
• Provide information and support to help patients navigate a complex health and human services system.
• Work as an integral member of the healthcare team to ensure safety, best practice, and high-quality standards of care are maintained across the care continuum.
• Advocate for optimal outcomes for patients and identify clinical and cultural gaps in care to address with multidisciplinary team members.
• Collaborate with case managers and nurses with cultural and community resources for patients as needed.
• Assist with opportunities for culturally based training for Sanford staff.
• Partner with appropriate Sanford staff to engage in outreach to develop collaborative relationships between Sanford and Tribal Nations entities, local cultural organizations, and IHS facilities.
• Collaborate with IHS and Tribal Health entities to develop the process for continued care with cultural and community resources as needed.
• Identify resources best suited to treat patient\'s conditions, cultural requests, and connections to appropriate resources.
• Implement cultural traditions to build relationships and connections between patients, medical staff, and community to reduce health disparities.
• Collaborate with clinical leaders to identify opportunities for delivering culturally sensitive and relevant care, addressing health disparities through an understanding of social determinants of health, and enhancing care transitions for Native American patients across the health and wellness continuum.
• Prior experience in the areas of Native American advocacy and Tribal relationships is desired.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Associate’s degree in social work/sciences with at least three years’ experience in professional supervised setting will be considered.
• Knowledge of, and experience in, local Tribal Nations entities in Northern MN. Knowledge of local Tribal Nations entities and Native American community demographics history, lifestyle, culture, and Native American community resources is preferred.
• Prior history of working in hospital and clinical environment preferred.
• Ability to speak Ojibwe language is preferred but not required.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to [e-mail].