Patient Advocate (Full-Time Day Shift)

Stony Brook University•Southampton, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Advocate serves as a liaison and champion for patients and families at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. The role provides compassionate support by listening to concerns, addressing complaints and grievances, facilitating communication between patients and the care team, and helping resolve issues effectively and promptly. The Patient Advocate supports patient rights, promotes satisfaction, and contributes to patient-centered care and continuous improvement. The position involves responding to concerns, questions, requests, suggestions, compliments, and commendations; sharing information about organizational services and resources; documenting concerns; tracking complaints, grievances, and compliments in a database; and escalating issues through appropriate channels when needed. The Patient Advocate also collaborates with patients, families, hospital and medical staff, and participates in committees, work groups, and process-improvement teams. Frequent walking throughout the hospital is required, and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds may be necessary. Travel to other locations may occasionally be needed to support operational needs. The role may require respiratory protection, which may prohibit facial hair. It may be designated as essential, requiring employees to remain at or report to work during an institutional emergency. Pass days and shifts may change as necessary. Applicants should include a resume or CV with the online application. Before starting, the selected candidate must complete a pre-employment physical and medical clearance, provide at least three professional references for an electronic reference check, complete a four-panel drug screen, meet regulatory screening requirements, and provide any required New York State licenses or certificates. Failure to meet these requirements may delay the start date or result in revocation of the offer. The hiring department is responsible for examination fees. Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke-free environment; smoking is prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas. Stony Brook Medicine is committed to diversity and an inclusive learning and working environment, and considers qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is dedicated to supporting healthier and more resilient communities locally and globally.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
At least 3 years of experience in a hospital and/or healthcare environment, with a demonstrated history of working with patients.
Proven success applying a team approach to resolving issues or accomplishing goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft applications.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient advocacy experience.
Social work education and/or experience.
Bilingual ability.

Responsibilities

Facilitate resolution of expressed concerns, answer questions, and honor requests or commendations.
Respond to patient suggestions and compliments and provide positive reinforcement to involved staff.
Serve as a liaison among patients, families, the hospital, and medical staff.
Advocate for patients’ rights and promote patient satisfaction.
Provide patients with information about organizational services and resources.
Foster collaborative relationships among the healthcare team, patients, and families.
Use interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills to identify, validate, and resolve patient concerns.
Document patient concerns and provide assistance and consultation to ensure issues are elevated to appropriate channels when needed.
Maintain a database tracking complaints, grievances, and compliments.
Participate in committees, work groups, and process-improvement teams, sharing patient feedback with the organization.