This position will be in located Anchorage, AK.
Candidate must live in Anchorage or be willing to relocate to Anchorage to be eligible for this role.
The Patient Advocate connects KANA patients to appropriate resources; assists patients with questions or concerns while navigating through the ANMC and Anchorage systems; advocates on behalf of patients to ensure their health and social needs are met; and participates in customer service and patient relations initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned):
- Supports the organization’s mission and goals and quality standards. Embraces KANA’s culture of serving the whole person through our provision of services. Incorporates KANA’s core values of Courtesy, Caring, Respect, Sharing, and Pride in all activities and decisions.
- Upholds KANA’s Code of Ethics by conducting professional activities with honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, and good faith in a manner that reflects positively upon the organization.
- Provides a system to ensure patients, particularly Elders or other vulnerable patients, are supported while seeking health care services in Anchorage. Advocate on behalf of patients to ensure their health and social needs are met.
- Serves as a contact for patients, family members, and escorts who have a need while traveling to/from Anchorage. Assists patients with questions or barriers regarding coordination of travel or services at ANMC.
- Assists with arranging patient transportation and housing as needed. Maintains appropriate records and prepare reports as required. Refer patients to hospital financial department as necessary.
- Identifies system-related problems and work collaboratively with providers, administration, and staff to resolve. Develops professional relationships with assigned programs and departments to build and sustain a patient-focused culture.
- Guides patients through the clinical process and help patients arrive at scheduled appointments on time and prepared. Facilitates interaction and communication between patient, family and/or escort, and health care staff and providers as needed.
- Visits KANA patients in the hospital and serve as a liaison between patients at ANMC and KANA. Participates on committees, work groups and other process improvement teams to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Serves as a resource for information concerning a patient’s rights and responsibilities.
- Exhibits the highest degree of professionalism, friendliness, helpfulness, and customer service.
- Accurately documents all inquiries and resolution.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Requirements
High school diploma or GED and three years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field preferred. Familiarity with federal, state, and local resources available to meet the health and social needs of patients. Demonstrated ability to effectively advocate for and work closely with patients and the public. Effective communicator and listener with superior customer service skills and a patient-focused approach to care. Requires significant interdisciplinary collaboration, judgment, discretion and attention to confidentiality. Can identify opportunities to optimize the environment of care from the patient perspective.
