Advocate

Position Summary:

The Advocate provides support for medical services by assisting with treatment plans; treatment plan reviews; patient assistance programs; IDP, outcomes; authorization overrides; follow-ups, State paperwork and referrals. Conducts face-to-face visits; handles medical service related telephone calls with individuals receiving medical outpatient mental health services. Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinate with doctor and participates in medical treatment planning and reviews; consults with each patient concerning attainment of treatment plan goals and objectives.
• Order medications as requested by medical staff/doctor
• Maintains medication inventory
• Records/maintains medication samples and IDP
• Complete required state and intake paperwork
• Back up front office/reception. Assist with scheduling appointments, super bills/payments, answering phones.
• Complete and comply with Request for records
• Responsible for maintaining the patient's chart in compliance with State, CARF, Medicaid, and other rules and standards.
• Attend and participate in training activities, staff meetings, and supervisory sessions.
• Participate in Quality Improvement activities and committee assignments as requested.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organize, interpret and communicate data in a comprehensive and effective manner.
• Knowledge and understanding of Medicaid, CARF and Department of Children and Families rules and regulations.

• Ability to communicate information effectively in both oral and written formats.
• Ensure that if a psychiatric evaluation is being billed on a SAL that there is a note on the psychiatric evaluation
• Assists in taking vitals of patients.
• Assists in prepping patient for appointment
• Assists psychiatrist as needed.
• Participate in case conference
• Completes all orientation and mandated training activities, including E-Learning Courses, within required timeframes, and in accordance with the criteria established for this position.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation;
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

Certifications/Licensures:

• Not applicable

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology or related social science field is preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalence issued by a state department of education is required

Experience and Competencies:

• One (1) year of experience working in medical office is required.
• Six (6) months of experience working in a Mental Health/Substance Abuse agency is preferred
• Bilingual is preferred;
• Maintains confidential files and records
• Working knowledge of behavioral health terminology
• Medical Terminology and understanding, written and verbal communication skills and administrative and clerical skills.
• Ability to react appropriately in a Medical/Psychiatric emergency.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion for consumer during Med/Psych crisis
• Ability to comply with all statutory requirements and professional/ethical responsibilities concerning confidentiality.

• Ability to demonstrate respect in all dealings with consumers.  Takes time to make sure that consumers understand communications.  Deals with other staff in a respectful and collegial fashion.
•  Ability to seek direction from Supervisor when appropriate.
• Knowledge of WestCare Mission, goals and values
• Knowledge of Incident Reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Professional Ethics, Consumer Rights and Confidentiality
• Familiarity with WestCare services and programs
• Understanding of issues related to cultural identity, ethnic background, age, developmental level, gender and sexual orientation in prevention, intervention and treatment.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff and consumers
• Demonstrates respect for an individual’s cultural and ethnic values when interacting with them
• Articulates a working definition of trauma
• Understands the impact of trauma
• Understands re-traumatization
• Demonstrates a high degree of dependability.
  • Maintains a good attendance record.
  • Observes working hours
  • Shows flexibility and is responsive to requests from supervisor
  • Works independently with minimal supervision
  • Exhibits characteristics of good workmanship, and integrity on the job
  • Work time is always productive
• Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, external partners, and  regulatory agencies
  • Is courteous to consumers, staff, and all others.
  • Demonstrates tact at the appropriate time.
  • Cooperates with others both within and outside WestCare.
  • Works well with supervisor; accepts direction and supervision
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward work
• Ensures and maintains a safe working environment.
  • Work area is clean and orderly.
  • Verbalizes, understands and adheres to agency safety procedures.
  • Demonstrates appropriate use of Unusual Incident Reports, in accordance with the Center’s reporting procedures
• Presents a positive personal image
• Dresses and maintains a professional demeanor
• Excellent communication skills;

• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality;
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an annual Tuberculosis test.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in an office or residential treatment setting

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or

without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds.  Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).  Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.  Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues.  However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.

Mental Demands:

• Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions. 
• Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions. 
• Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.
• The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.