Housing Health Advocate - Emergency Department, Full-Time, Evenings
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
The Housing Health Advocate reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Responsibilities:
- Provides case management and support to patients with chronic illnesses in order to assist them in achieving medical and social stability.
- Provides these services in both the community and in an outpatient clinic to ensure maximum flexibility.
- Initiates clinical contact with adults with chronic medical illness to engage them in setting and achieving measurable goals related to their health care needs throughout various hospital locations.
- Assists patients to identify and obtain appropriate medical and social services; advocates with these agencies for patients; as needed.
- Assists patient connect to federal entitlement appointments via public transportation as needed.
- Actively participates as a member of an interprofessional team; working with physicians, pharmacists, social workers, therapists, and psychiatrist to provide comprehensive patient care.
- Proactively collaborates with other Northwestern Medical Group programs as well as other community-based referral sources to ensure seamless coordination of patient care.
- Documents timely, accurate and appropriate clinical information in patient’s medical record.
- Documents tracking information and clinical data for patient tracking and research purposes.
- Provides coverage for the other Health Advocates, and members of the transitional care team when necessary; possesses the knowledge and experience to competently handle these responsibilities.
- Performs evaluation of the physical environment and adequacy of support systems to prevent a crisis and/or hospitalization.
- Utilizes advanced problem-solving skills and creativity to coordinate action plans when barriers are present.
- Utilizes conflict resolution skills as necessary to ensure timely resolution of issues and system problems.
- Seeks consultation from and makes referrals to appropriate disciplines/departments as required to meet the goals outlined in the patient’s Health Improvement Plan.
- Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and an ability to connect patients and families with these resources.
- Provides patient and family education that promotes wellness and increases knowledge of the health care system.
- Complies with Northwestern Memorial Hospital policies on patient confidentiality including HIPAA requirements and Personal Rules of Conduct.
- Displays sound judgment when conducting visits to patients in diverse communities.
Additional Responsibilities: Emergency Department Transitions Hub Support and Care Coordination
- Serves as the primary Northwestern Medicine representative within the Emergency Department (ED) Transitions Hub, establishing trusting and therapeutic relationships with patients experiencing homelessness and other complex social needs.
- Engages high-utilizing ED patients and facilitates warm handoffs to community partner organization (CPO) staff providing intensive case management, housing navigation, and supportive services.
- Collaborates closely with interdisciplinary care teams, social work, and community partners to develop individualized transition plans that address medical, behavioral health, and social determinants of health needs.
- Supports patients throughout the transition process by assisting with completion of required documentation, benefit applications, housing assessments, and other activities necessary to secure emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent housing resources.
- Coordinates transportation and logistical arrangements to ensure safe and timely transitions from the hospital to community-based services, shelters, housing programs, and other destinations.
- Maintains ongoing communication with community partner organizations to monitor patient progress, remove barriers to placement, and promote continuity of care.
- Tracks patient disposition, program outcomes, and transition milestones, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete documentation within the electronic medical record.
- Identifies and escalates barriers impacting successful patient placement and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions.
- Demonstrates knowledge of housing, homelessness, and community-based support resources and actively advocates for patient access to these services.
- Supports continuous improvement efforts by providing feedback on workflows, patient experience, community partnerships, and operational processes within the ED Transitions Hub.
- Provides longitudinal support and follow-up for patients awaiting housing placement, deemed ineligible for housing programs, or not yet ready to pursue housing resources, ensuring ongoing engagement, reassessment of needs, connection to alternative community supports, and continuity of care across settings.
Required:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred:
- CPR
- Bachelor's degree in human service field or BSW
- One to two years of experience providing medical or mental health case management.
- Experience as a Health Care Navigator or Certified Application Counselor a plus.
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.
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NorthwesternMedicine Career Page
Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.
If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.