Patient Advocate

Overview:

At Armor Health we are raising the standard of care to impact the lives of those we serve by partnering with exceptional correctional organizations to improve health care outcomes. We provide support for patients and foster the holistic wellness and well-being of the lives entrusted in our care. Armor is laser-focused on providing the best-in-class interventions to ensure optimal outcomes. Through our core values of embracing change, taking ownership, attention to detail, a sense of urgency, and a results oriented collaborative environment, we are a dynamic team that is transforming and revolutionizing correctional healthcare.

Great outcomes start with great people and Armor has an exciting opportunity for a Patient Advocate to join our team at Dekalb County Jail in Decatur, GA

Responsibilities:

The following are some of the key responsibilities of a patient advocate.

Assess the patient’s medical needs functional abilities, to determine the appropriate level of care needed after hospital discharge.

Communicate with healthcare providers to ensure that they have all the necessary information about the patient’s medical condition and treatment plan.

Coordinate care between the hospital and other healthcare providers to ensure that the patient’s medical needs are being met and that there is continuity of care.

Advocate for the patient’s rights, needs, and ensure they are receiving appropriate care.

Educate patients about their medical condition, treatment plan, and available resources to support their recovery.

Document all interactions with patients and healthcare providers and report any issues or concerns appropriately to management.

Individual Pre-Release Health Planning and Referral

Monitors chronic care logs and caseload as needed to supplement referrals by staff.

Develop discharge planning referral criteria for intake medical screeners.

Consults routinely with medical providers on current caseload to identify patients meeting criteria for receiving pre-release health planning.

Consults with the Armor behavioral health provider on specific patients with complex needs that require supplemental coordination in addition to individual treatment plans or behavioral health referral plans upon release of custody.

Participates in multidisciplinary planning in support specialized transitional programs dedicated to seriously or chronically ill patients (such as community based mental health teams and HIV programs).

Assist with special cases by providing support to patient requiring applications and assistance in confirming eligibility, as well as by referring them to assigned agency and correctional facility programs.

To the extent possible and permitted by notice of release, make appointments for patient with willing community resources/health providers by,Establishing lines of communications to streamline appointment scheduling.

Promoting a common understanding of admission criteria, eligibility, and enrollment requirements when applicable.

Will adhere to Armor’s Standards of Professional Conduct.

Respond to requests from Security Staff as well as Armor Staff in accordance with Armor and Facility Guidelines. This includes following the rules and regulations for employee conduct/behavior and chain of command, set forth by the command staff while working within the detention/correctional facility.

Perform additional duties as assigned.

General Patient Orientation and Pre-Release Program

Coordinating procedures with nursing staff, as well as through individual patient contracts, provides:

Orientation materials and support in educating patients on continuing care requirements.

Information on referral options and community resources,

Documented discharge summary on Armor’s Passport form and,

Access, as possible to the required supply of release medications on the date of release by issuing a voucher or by issuing a supply from available patient-specific medications on hand.

Develops and maintains procedures for notification when patients are booked into facility to expedite verification of medications and initiate pre-release planning by court staff and/or provider as appropriate.

Community Involvement

Serves as Armor and Sheriff’s Office liaison to community agency and provider in reach staff who visit the correctional facility to see medical and behavioral health patients such as Veterans Administration, community-based substance abuse programs, public health and mental health agency staff, and others.

Manages relationship with key providers to foster patient compliance, satisfaction, and positive outcomes.

Attends select community meetings on a limited basis when coordination is required between community-based organizations and the facility medical program.

Administrative

Facilitates the documentation by agency staff related to discharge planning on inmate health record according to Armor policies and procedures.

Prepares reports and maintains logs, including those generated electronically, which are sufficient to summarize and track both facility health care staff and agency inmate pre-release health planning activities.

Qualifications:

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Minimum of 2 years’ experience, preferably in correctional health or criminal justice environment as case manager, discharge planner, nurse performing similar tasks related to referral, case management, and/or care coordination, or mental health related service coordinator.

Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, human services, or healthcare related field or Nursing Degree.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent computer skills.

Familiar with health records, medical terminology, and health information services.

Must receive and maintain satisfactory background investigation reports.

Clinical credentials such as nurse, social worker, screener, or case manager including training, licensure, and certification is desirable but not a requirement.

Other relevant professional experiences or educational backgrounds will be considered as deemed appropriate. However, when licensure is required by local, state, federal or contractual guidelines, we will not alter our position on those requirements.

Armor Health offers career development opportunities, competitive salaries, and an excellent benefit package that includes:

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plans

Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance options

Health savings account

Much more!

If you want to join an exciting, dynamic and growing organization that is making a positive impact on the lives we serve, we look forward to considering you for this opportunity and to be part of our team!

Armor Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and applicants. We comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, including but not limited to those that prohibit discrimination based on color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, immigration status, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran's status, and citizenship.

Permanent