Patient Advocate, Hepatitis C Specialist

Title: Patient Advocate, Hepatitis C Specialist 

Salary / Salary Range: $53k-58k 

Employment Status: Full-time  

Department: Clinical Services 

Supervisor: Assistant Director of Patient Advocacy 

Office: San Antonio Office (1603 Babcock Suite 210 San Antonio, TX 78229) 

Full time, exempt 

Target start date: November 8, 2024  

About the Organization:  

ASHwell is a sexual health and wellness center established in Austin, TX, in the late 1980s. We are passionately committed to diversity, equity, and belonging. We strive to provide a safe discrimination-free space for all and predominantly serve LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Our approach to sexual health and wellness is rooted in being proudly sex and kink positive, pro-sex worker, pro-harm reduction and anti-stigma. We are a growing organization looking for values-aligned, pro-sexual health and wellness people to join our team! 

Position Overview: 

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a complex condition that often requires ongoing management and support. The Patient Advocate, HCV Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring that our patients understand their treatment options and can navigate the healthcare system effectively. The Patient Advocate will serve as a liaison between our team and our patients, helping to facilitate communication and address any concerns or barriers to care. Through dedication and expertise, the Patient Advocate will play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of our patients affected by hepatitis C. 

Core Responsibilities 

Client Intake - 30% 

• Conduct initial screenings to determine a patient-client's eligibility for HCV treatment with ASHwell. 
• Provide patient-clients with information about available treatment options, including the risks, benefits, and potential side effects of each treatment. 
• Help patient-clients navigate the health insurance process, including obtaining prior authorizations for treatment, understanding coverage, and applying for financial assistance for medication costs. 
• Address any concerns or questions they may have, and provide resources for additional support, such as counseling services or support groups. 

Community Outreach - 20% 

• Cultivate partnerships with local organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to enhance outreach efforts. 
• Organize and participate in community events to educate the public about HCV, its risk factors, prevention methods, and available treatment. 
• Provide regular input to inform strategies to reach underserved populations who may be at higher risk for HCV or face barriers to accessing healthcare services. 
• Regularly stock educational materials and provide appropriate materials and resources to patients. 

Treatment Navigation - 20% 

• Work closely with healthcare providers to coordinate the patient-client's treatment plan. 
• Coordinate with pharmacies to ensure medication access. 
• Assist with coordinating laboratory testing. 
• Help schedule rides to lab and doctor appointments. 
• Follow up with patient-clients regularly to monitor progress, assess any side effects or complications, and address any concerns or questions. 
• Offer support and guidance to patient-clients throughout the treatment process. 

Data Management - 20% 

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for each patient-client. 
• Regularly perform data audits and validation checks to identify and correct errors or inconsistencies in the data. 
• Maintain a spreadsheet tracking medication access and detailing delivery of HCV medications. 

Baseline - 10% 

• Participate in all required staff meetings and events. 
• Maintain up-to-date calendar and work plan. 
• Utilize – agency-wide systems and protocols for all agency business. 
• Offer at least 24 hours' notice for internal meeting cancellations/rescheduling. 
• Maintain Chain of Support for internal communications.  

About You 

The ASHwell Patient Advocate, HCV Specialist is a caring and empathetic individual with a strong desire to improve the lives of others. They have great communication skills, which allow them to effectively interact with patient-clients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. They have an in-depth knowledge of Hepatitis C and its treatment options, as well as advocacy abilities, which allow them to help patient-clients navigate the healthcare system. They demonstrate cultural competence and the capacity to engage with a variety of patient populations. The HCV Specialist is a proactive problem-solver who focuses on identifying barriers to care and providing innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes. They can connect their role and its responsibilities to the bigger picture of ASHwell’s mission. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Lives in San Antonio, TX or within the greater San Antonio Metro Area or willing to relocate. Must also be willing to travel to Austin occasionally for agency business. 
• Baseline understanding of gender pronouns, pro sex culture, and HIV de-stigmatization and/or willingness to learn 
• Aligned with ASHwell’s values 
• 1+ years of relevant experience 
• Ability to understand and empathize with the challenges faced by patients living with Hepatitis C. 
• Ability to advocate for patient-clients' needs and rights within the healthcare system. 
• Capacity to identify barriers to care and develop solutions to address them. 
• Ability to maintain effective and organized systems to track patient-client issues. 
• Strong communication and written skills, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse staff and populations. 
• Computer proficiency, including strong skills using web-based applications, electronic medical records, and Microsoft office products. 
• Ability to support a healthy and constructive work environment – fostering collaborative teamwork, positivity, and productivity. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bi-lingual English and Spanish speaking, including medical interpretation. 
• Lived experience with Hepatitis C.  
• Phlebotomy experience and familiarity with testing performed in a clinic that has a CLIA-waived laboratory. 
• Experience working or volunteering in HIV/STI prevention or other community health programs. 
• Strong understanding and knowledge of harm reduction practices and approaches. 
• Experience conducting Motivational Interviewing. 
• Experience in case management, including coordinating care between multiple providers and ensuring that patient-clients receive the necessary services. 
•  Experience with health insurance and ACA marketplace enrollments. 

Our Hiring Process 

The start date for this position is November 8, 2024. Applications are due no later than midnight CT on September 6, 2024. We are committed to offering the support, time, and resources necessary to on-board and orient to the role. 

TIMELINE 

• Applications Due September 6, 2024 
• Invitations to Interview: September 17-20 
• Round 1 Interviews: week of September 23-26 
• Round 2 interviews: September 30-October 3 
• Final interviews: October 7-10 
• Goal date for offers: October 14-18 
• Position start date November 8, 2024 

ASHwell uses a cohort onboarding model. The start date is a group orientation day for hires across the organization. 

EOE STATEMENT

As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, ASHwell is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of its employees and does not discriminate against any employee or candidate. Women, minorities, veterans, people from LGBTQ2SAI+ communities and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodation to access job openings or to apply for a job is available.