What are the responsibilities and job description for the Regional Patient Advocate position at Firstsource?
General Summary:
The Regional Patient Advocate is responsible for screening patients on-site at hospitals for eligibility assistance programs. They travel within an assigned region to provide additional coverage as needed, and to cover for Representatives who are ill, on vacation, on leave or out of the office for any reason.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide information and reports to our client contact(s) to keep them up to date on our progress.
- Possibly be assigned a small workload of accounts to resolve.
- Cover at facilities within an assigned region when the onsite representatives are out of the office.
- Screen those patients that are referred to Firstsource for State, County and/or Federal eligibility assistance programs.
- Initiate the application process bedside when possible.
- Identify specific patient needs and assist them with an application for the appropriate agency for assistance.
- Introduce the patients to Firstsource services and inform them that we will be contacting them on a regular basis about their progress.
- Lay the groundwork for the Patient Advocate Specialist to develop a positive relationship with the patient.
- Legibly record all patient information on the designated in-house screening sheet, and log account screening detail in Onsite Reporting Tool.
- Document the results of the screening in the hospital computer system.
- Inform the designated hospital employee(s) of the availability of assistance for each patient in a timely manner.
- Outside field work as required to include Patient home visits to screen for eligibility of State, County, and Federal programs.
- Other Duties as assigned or required by client contract
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintain a positive working relationship with the hospital staff of all levels and departments.
- Access information for the Patient Advocate Specialist as needed (discharge dates, balances, itemized statements, medical records, etc.).
- Adhere to prescribed policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and the Employee Code of Conduct.
- Maintain awareness of and actively participate in the Corporate Compliance Program.
- Assist with other projects as assigned by management.
Educational/Vocational/Previous Experience Recommendations:
High school diploma or GED is required.
1 - 3 years' experience with medical billing, medical coding, eligibility (government or hospital) or other pertinent medical experience is preferred
Must have reliable transportation to travel to multiple local facilities as needed
Basic personal computer skills are required.
Ability to effectively work and communicate with coworkers, patients, outside agencies and hospital employees.
Ability to present oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Ability to stay on task with little or no supervision.
Demonstrate initiative and creativity in fulfilling job responsibilities.
Possess excellent organization skills.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a busy work environment.
Reliability of task completion and follow-up.
