Patient Advocate

SUMMARY

The Native American Community Clinic (NACC) is a community health center in Minneapolis dedicated to serving urban Indigenous communities and other underserved groups. We are seeking a compassionate, resourceful, community-oriented Patient Advocate to join our team. This position plays a vital role in supporting patients with social service needs, including assistance with health insurance, transportation, housing, and other essential supports. The Patient Advocate works closely with clinical teams and community partners to remove barriers to care, improve access to resources, and enhance overall patient well-being through culturally responsive, holistic support.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct support to patients in identifying and addressing social needs that impact health, including transportation, food insecurity, insurance enrollment, and other daily living concerns
• Coordinate closely with community partners, housing providers, and social service agencies to maximize access to support services
• Serve as a resource expert for NACC staff, assisting providers and team members in addressing patients’ social needs
• Assist patients in navigating public benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Support, and other relevant programs
• Assist with enrollment in Medicaid programs for uninsured patients
• Help maintain accurate, up-to-date community resource directories
• Provide in-clinic support to patients by identifying barriers to completing medical, dental, and behavioral health treatment plans and developing solutions
• Conduct in-reach and outreach activities to assess social needs, offer support, and connect community members to services that improve health outcomes
• Participate in outreach efforts, including health fairs, community events, and expos to promote NACC services and build relationships with community members
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure patients receive comprehensive, integrated, and culturally appropriate care
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient interactions, services provided, and outcomes
• Perform other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum two years of experience in case management, social services, or related field
• Knowledge of local and/or tribal community resources and public benefits programs
• Familiarity with health-related social needs and social determinants of health
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with electronic health records and other relevant software (Ex. Epic, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong commitment to health equity and serving diverse, underserved populations
• Experience working with Indigenous communities or tribal entities preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

COMPETENCIES

Diversity: Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.

Ethics: Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Dependability: Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Judgement: Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIORNMENT

• Frequently required to stand, walk or sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Frequently required to talk or hear
• Occasional exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The employee must: occasionally lift and /or move more than ten pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to ten pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the following: close vision, distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception and ability to adjust focus

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person