Primary Function: The Patient Advocate is charged with helping a patient's hospital journey go as smoothly as possible by acting in the best interest of the patient. Dignity, respect and consideration are the cornerstones of patients' rights. The Patient Advocate will work closely with the nurse manager, physician, nursing staff and other clinical and non-clinical members of the team to investigate with the goals of resolution of the complaint/situation. Chaplains may be called in to discuss underlying spiritual or emotional issues with the patient and/or nurse. The Patient Advocate will investigate and manage complaints by patients, their families, visitors, EMCM staff members and other healthcare consumers and work with all necessary parties toward a complaint's resolution. The Patient Advocate will comply with federal regulations from HIPAA, CMS guidelines and various patients' rights law.
- An advocate is called upon to intervene in crisis situations and negotiate resolutions between conflicted parties.
- An advocate operates within an ethical construct, seeks to promote the interest of the patient first and foremost, and then seeks to promote relationships between staff and patients.
- These efforts lead to a more positive and individualized healthcare experience, recognizing the diversity and uniqueness of each person.
- Advocate proactively communicates and demonstrates the concern and responsiveness of Einstein Medical Center Montgomery.
- The patient advocacy service at EMCM provides a specific channel through which patients can seek solutions to problems, concerns and unmet needs.
- The Patient Advocate will document all complaints, grievances and interactions in the electronic feedback system. It will be the job of the advocate to see all complaints and grievances through the close of the case.
This position requires providing service to the following age populations- infant to frail elderly, in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the functional/developmental age of the individual served.
Qualifications - Baccalaureate or Associates Degree in Behavioral or Clinical Sciences required.
- Bi-lingual (Spanish strongly preferred).
- Competency in Language Interpreting English-Spanish (proof of interpreter skills test).
- Three years of experience working in a service-oriented organization, preferably in a healthcare setting required.
- Must possess self-motivation, excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated mediation, conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills required.
Closing Statement About Jefferson Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University , home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health , nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years. Jefferson is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status.