Position Summary:

The Health Advocate is
responsible to support members and their social and health needs by helping them
navigate and access community resources, services and medical systems. The Health Advocate will help
members navigate the medical system when treatment is required and navigate the
community when social services are required.
The Health Advocate will be based in medical practices as part of the
care team and will partner with medical providers and the community to provide
intensive personal support to ensure that all health needs are met.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

-
Actively engages, builds rapport, establishes a
trusting relationship and continuous candid communication with members and
member family support systems
-
Assesses social
determinants of health needs for high-risk
members and documents assessment results or augments available information in
appropriate systems
-
Consults with or refers members
to licensed staff (social worker, nurse case manager etc.) as required based on
member social, health risk and medical complexity
-
Establishes relationships with and partners
with community resources, health plans and providers by participating in local
community engagement activities with local agencies e.g. faith based
organizations, community centers, government agencies, parks, recreation
centers and schools
-
Assists members with problem-solving barriers
to complex health conditions by
identifying, locating, connecting to and navigating needed community and
medical system services including visiting
members at their homes, accompanying members to medical appointments and
assisting members with completing forms to access needed services
-
Determines social determinants of health
concerns/ gaps, develops and documents a plan to address complex social and health disparities
-
Documents member activities and progress notes
in appropriate systems and provides reports to management
-
Actively participates as part of provider
practice Interdisciplinary Team Meetings providing updates on member needs and
progress
-
Identifies gaps in community resources and
medical systems, makes recommendations to close gaps and implements new
services or solutions to close identified gaps
-
Performs other duties as assigned

-
5 or more years'
experience working with people who need assistance with complex health and social issues
-
Experience navigating health insurer and provider systems
-
Experience navigating and interacting with community resources and
agencies such as faith
based organizations, community centers, government agencies, parks, recreation
centers and schools
-
Experience linking people to community resources and supporting people
with complex health and social needs/issues in a community environment
-
Comprehensive knowledge of social work principles, techniques,
practices, and their application to complex casework

Education:
-
High school diploma is
required
-
Bachelor's degree in Social Work,
Psychology, Biology, Public Health, Nursing, Community health or Health-allied field
preferred, OR equivalent experience

License/Certification/Special
Training:

-
Valid CA Driver's License and proof of auto insurance coverage required

Skills/Abilities:
-
Bilingual or conversational
in predominant secondary language of local community
-
Comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of psychosocial challenges and
familiarity with behavioral health diagnoses and treatment
-
Knowledge of family and group dynamics along with relevant intervention
techniques
-
Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and policies applicable to scope of practice
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, must be able to
communicate clearly and concisely with all levels of individuals, sometimes in
stressful situations
-
Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing patient and
organizational priorities
-
Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as
needed
-
Must be able to manage conflict, stress and multiple simultaneous work
demands in an effective professional manner and be comfortable in an informal,
friendly environment
-
Must demonstrate respect, concern and empathy for the spiritual and
emotional needs of patients
-
Knowledge of governmental and commercial health insurance benefits
-
Must be able to effectively work with patients, health service
providers, agencies and others from diverse backgrounds to reduce cultural and
social-economic barriers
-
Excellent rapport and trusting building skills with a disenfranchised
population
-
Excellent time management and organizational skills
-
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
-
Proficient with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook,
Word, and PowerPoint

Additional Information

- Our Company: At Blue Shield of California we are parents, leader, students, visionaries, heroes, and providers. Everyday we come together striving to fulfill our mission, to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality health care at a sustainably affordable price. For more than 80 years, Blue Shield of California has been dedicated to transforming health care by making it more accessible, cost-effective, and customer-centric. We are a not-for-profit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with 6,800 employees, more than $20 billion in annual revenue and 4.3 million members. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have a positive impact on California communities. Blue Shield of California is headquartered in Oakland, California with 18 additional locations including Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego. We're excited to share Blue Shield of California has received awards and recognition for - LGBT diversity, quality improvement, most influential women in corporate America, Bay Area's top companies in volunteering & giving, and one of the world's most ethical companies. Here at Blue Shield of California, we're striving to make a positive change across our industry and the communities we live in - Join us!

- Physical Requirements:
Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.

- Equal Employment Opportunity: External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.

- Requisition ID: 20002H6

- Posting Date: Nov 23, 2020

- Schedule: Full-time

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