Patient Advocate

Carilion Clinic; Roanoke (VA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Virginia is seeking a Patient Advocate to manage patient complaints and enhance service excellence. This full-time role involves investigating grievances, supporting communication between patients and staff, and collaborating with a dedicated team to improve healthcare outcomes.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in a patient care or customer service area.
• Five years with Service Recovery or Dispute Resolution.
• Must maintain Notary Public designation and obtain CPHRM Certification within one year.

Responsibilities

• Investigates complaints by collaborating with managers and staff.
• Receives and processes complaints through various channels.
• Provides education and support to staff, patients, and families.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED required

Bachelors preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Power Point

Excel

Job description

How You’ll Help Transform Healthcare:

This position will provide frontline risk management through the intake, investigation, and either resolution or escalation of complaints and grievances from patients, family members, and visitors. The Patient Advocate will exercise autonomy in determining the optimum method of management to ensure the best possible outcome for all involved. The Patient Advocate will also provide support to Carilion Clinic staff by assisting with communication between staff and patients and families and acting as liaison when appropriate.

• Promotes Carilion Clinic’s Culture of Service Excellence and quality through teamwork, respectful communication, maintenance of a professional environment, partnership with those we serve, and anticipation of patient/customer needs.
• Applies communication skills, de-escalation techniques, and resolution strategies to the management of patient, family, and visitor complaints and grievances.
• Receives and process calls, letters, visits or other notifications of complaints. Reports potential claims to the Director of Patient Advocacy as needed.
• Investigates complaints by actively working with managers/directors of affected areas to determine issues. This includes talking with care givers or other staff involved in the care of the patient. Determines the location of the event incident, requesting medical records, obtaining release from patient for access to medical records from outside facilities, when necessary. Meets with patients, families or involved persons and investigates complaints and concerns.
• Determine completeness of complaint response and forwards the information to Director for final review. Drafts letters to patients and families and prepare for Director’s signature.
• Following the investigation of a complaint/grievance determines the appropriate disposition for that complaint /grievance (resolution, escalation, or response and closure). Works with appropriate internal and external resources to effectuate disposition as necessary. Works within the parameters established by departmental policy.
• Proactively provides education and support to patients, families, visitors, providers, and staff through regular rounding in clinical areas and practice sites. Educates and orients staff regarding the Department of Patient Advocacy and provides other educational opportunities as appropriate.
• Provides accurate and up-to-date complaint and grievance information to the Director on a monthly basis for incorporation into report to Grievance Committee. Reports on directly to the Grievance Committee regarding specific issues or initiatives on an “as needed” basis.
• Personally escorts patients, employees or families as indicated to the appropriate locations. Provides support to Guest Services as appropriate.

What We Require:

Education: High school diploma or GED required, Bachelors preferred.

Experience: One year of experience in a patient care or customer service area. Five (5) years with Service Recovery or Dispute Resolution. 3,000 hours or 50 percent of full-time job duties within the last three years dedicated to healthcare risk management in a healthcare setting or with a provider of services (e.g. consultant, broker, or attorney) to the healthcare industry.

Licensure/Certifications/Registration: Maintains Notary Public designation. CPHRM Certification within one (1) year.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Effective interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills required. Must successfully complete orientation.Demonstrated history of compliance and confidentiality required. Demonstrated ability to communicate well in challenging situations. Often communicates with state, legal and other representatives and serves as a front line contact. Tools used may include but are not limited to Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, SMS, SoftMed.

About Carilion

This is Carilion Clinic ...

An organization where innovation happens, collaboration is expected and ideas are valued. A not-for-profit, mission-driven health system built on progress and partnerships. A courageous team that is always learning, never discouraged and forever curious.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., you will find a robust system of award winning hospitals, Level 1 and 3 trauma centers, Level 3 NICU, Institute of Orthopedics and Neurosciences, multi-specialty physician practices, and The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

Carilion is where you can make your own path, make new discoveries and, most importantly, make a difference. Here, in a place where the air is clean, people are kind and life is good. Make your tomorrow with us.

Requisition Number: 152897
Employment Status: Full time
Location: CRMH - Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Shift: Day
Shift Details: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, no weekends--Hybrid role
Recruiter: DANA E JOHNSON
Recruiter Email: [e-mail]
For more information, contact the HR Service Center at 1-800-599-2537.

Carilion Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or veterans status.
Carilion Clinic is a drug-free workplace.