The primary responsibility of this position is to work closely with patients and staff to ensure patient access to all components of providers’ treatment plans, including medication, durable medical equipment, home health, and specialty care services. The Patient Advocate will work across departments and with outside entities, including insurance companies and pharmacies, to eliminate or reduce barriers to care. This position provides the opportunity to learn about the diverse types of care provided at Community of Hope (COH) and to interact and build relationships with patients, Health Services staff, and community members. The ability to work within a team, manage different projects, communicate effectively and remain organized are key components of this position. Our office is open Monday through Fridays from 9 am - 5 pm, with an evening clinic on Thursdays until 7:30pm. We are also open Saturday until 3:30 pm.

The Patient Advocate serves as part of the Population Health Department and is supervised by the Director of Population Health Services. The Patient Advocate will have his or her own desk space at one of COH’s three health center sites, in close proximity to the medical providers. To comply with job duties the Patient Advocate will use a computer and telephone at his or her worksite and will have access to EMR, email, and the internet for research purposes.

General Tasks

Medication & Care Continuum
- Responsible for answering the health center’s prescription refill line, processing requests (via telephone encounter) and notifying patients when prescriptions are ready for pick-up.
- Assist patients in filling prescriptions upon receiving prior authorization for non-formulary medications.
- Work closely with providers to submit prior authorizations and discuss availability of alternative medications.
- Investigate patient assistance programs, and facilitate applications and supporting documentation for submission to these programs on behalf of patients when authorizations are not possible.
- Work with pharmacy staff in order to stay up-to-date on forms and authorizations required for common insurance programs and share this knowledge with COH clinical staff as needed.
- Order medication samples under guidance of RN Manager.

Durable Medical Equipment:
- Submit supply orders.
- Build, maintain, and disseminate knowledge of reliable pharmacy suppliers.
- Track coverage of particular brands of glucometers and strips based on insurance formularies.
- Dispense in-clinic diabetes testing supplies.
- Coordinate distribution of asthma equipment (nebulizers and chambers).
- *Optional* Receive training on and become proficient in at-home blood glucose testing, and will train patients on best practices for their at-home blood glucose testing.

Medical Transportation:
- Educate patients on medical transportation benefits and service utilization.
- Schedule patient transportation for medical appointments.
- Work with patients and medical providers to complete applications for MetroAccess.

Outreach & Quality Management:
- Enroll patients in online patient portal system and mobile app (task can be shared with Admin.).
- Satisfaction surveys (task can be shared with volunteer and Admin.).
- Community events (health fairs, etc.).

Site-Specific Activities:
- Group work and education duties TBD.
- Diaper distribution/manage donations closet.
- Community resource referrals.
- Other duties as assigned.