Address
Form of workEIS Patient Care Connector
POSITION SUMMARY
LRMC's EIS (Early Intervention Services) team aims to provide access to health care services and medication for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and to strengthen skills to achieve optimal treatment adherence with the goals of viral suppression and reduced HIV-related mortality.
The Early Interventions Services (EIS) Patient Care Connector (PCC) will be responsible for providing emotional and educational support for patients/families/caregivers who are HIV positive and have significant life challenges that are barriers to access and retention in care. S/he will skillfully strategize innovative ways to locate patients, and seamlessly transition these patients to our Specialized Medical Case Management (SMCM) which will use an individualized, strengths-based approach. She/he is also responsible to engage, inform, support, and empower those who are eligible for services and would like to receive services from LRMC, as well as community providers. S/he also is responsible for supporting medical providers and clinical staff through an integrated approach to community outreach to improve Patient Care and outcomes with the goal of viral suppression.
WHY LRMC:
Little River Medical Center is a non-profit community health center within Horry County. At Little River Medical Center, we strive to offer exceptional health services and deliver quality, compassionate care to everyone. We provide a wide range of affordable health and support services for every family.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned:
- Conduct case finding and engagement of out-of-care persons living with HIV (PLWH) who have never accessed care or lost- to- follow up into care services.
- Conduct Return to Care Assessments (RTA) to identify barriers to continuous engagement in care and treatment at the convenience of the PLWH whether it take place at LRMC, patient home or other designated area.
- Assist patients in accessing health related services and overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and services.
- Assists patients in accessing and negotiating service systems to help keep them engaged in care and services; regular calls to check-in, for encouragement, appointment reminders, reschedule missed appointments to ensure access and receipt of services, as well as coordinating and assisting with transportation.
- Manages a cohort of PLWH and systems to discreetly/contact these individuals.
- Follow-up with new patients who have missed their initial appointment(s) to ensure they are rescheduled and linked to care.
- Document activities, plan of care, and results in the action of patient contacts and assist CM team in collecting in completion, tracking and timely follow up on paperwork for entitlements through different service systems.
- Accompanies patients to medical, mental health, substance use treatment or social service appointments to improve attendance and for affiliation support.
- Educate patients on how to access services at LRMC and be responsive to patient/families/caregivers needs and preferences.
- Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support, guidance, and encouragement for the patients/families/caregivers.
- Assess persons with unknown HIV status readiness to be tested and provide HIV rapid testing as needed.
- Provide integrated healthcare services by sharing patient information in accordance with HIPAA and Confidentiality laws within and outside LRMC to support an integrated and coordinated patient treatment plan.
- Participate in regular staff/team meetings, trainings and other offsite meetings as requested, and proactively supports PCMH initiatives related to care coordination.
- Proactive member of care teams in team-based care initiatives to optimize results and ensure high quality patient-centered care as part of the medical home.
- Should spend between 50 and 80 percent of their time out in the communities that s/he serve to ensure patient compliance and adherence with screenings, appointments, medication use and to be the bridge between the patients/community members and LRMC.
- Attends necessary trainings/meetings, such as monthly outreach meetings at SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) in Columbia, SC and/or virtually.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to work a very flexible schedule including late hours and weekends.
- Be self- motivated and task oriented.
- Must demonstrate experience with issues related to HIV care and treatment. Familiarity with issues that put people at risk for poorer health is highly helpful, such as homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, and /or substance abuse.
- Must have demonstrated knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HIV medical care services in the Pee Dee region of SC along with an interest and ability to expand knowledge through training.
- Be able to develop and maintain strong professional community relationships.
- Be able to develop and maintain supportive relationships with all patients and families that are affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Be comfortable and non- judgmental when working with patients that are homeless, use injection drugs and LGBTQIA+.
- Strong work ethic and reliable.
- Must have a clean driving record.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- High school diploma or Equivalent is required, college degree a plus.
- One year of related experience working in programs with at risk populations (including HIV/AIDS) and performing outreach is required.
LRMC offers benefits such as:
- Medical, Vision & Dental insurance.
- Employer matched 403B Retirement Plan.
- Paid Vacation time, Sick time, & Holiday's. As well as paid qualifying Administrative Leave.
- Employer Paid Health Benefits: Life / AD&D Policies, Short/Long Term Disability, and a Employee Assistant Plan.
