Patient Care Advocate

Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Ferriday • Ferriday, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Patient Care Advocate is responsible for rounding on patients to assess needs, provide support, and ensure patient satisfaction, while also managing patient accounts as a banking custodial function at Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Ferriday. This role combines direct patient interaction with financial stewardship to support overall patient care and wellbeing.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Prior experience in patient advocacy, customer service, or financial/accounting roles in a healthcare setting preferred
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients, families, and staff
• Proficiency in basic accounting functions and use of computers for documentation and reporting
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in all patient and financial matters
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 pounds during patient rounding and canteen operations

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily rounds on patients to assess concerns, needs, and overall satisfaction
• Serve as a liaison between patients and clinical teams to address concerns and enhance care experiences
• Advocate for patient rights and dignity by ensuring timely follow-up on concerns or requests
• Manage patient personal funds held in a local bank account for approximately 60 patients
• Deposit patients’ personal monies and make payments on their behalf per their authorization
• Maintain accurate financial records of patient funds as a separate custodial function of the hospital
• Perform accounting functions for receipts and disbursements, posting and journalizing ledgers, and preparing financial account reports
• Prepare detailed accounting by patient and in total for monies maintained in the bank
• Maintain the following journals and financial activities: Cash Disbursements Journal, Cash Receipts Journal, Daily transaction postings, Trial Balance reports, Revenue entries for patient mail and lockbox deposits, Interest payments to individual patient ledgers
• Write checks on patients' behalf for personal bills, care and maintenance payments, insurance, utilities, rent, subscriptions, clothing orders, eye and dental clinic payments
• Provide financial reports to families, patients, Social Workers, banking institutions, auditors, attorneys, and other appropriate parties as necessary
• Assist families and relevant parties in closing accounts of deceased patients
• Provide financial documentation for investigations upon request if issues arise or complaints are filed
• Manage and operate the Patient Canteen, maintaining accurate inventory and established PAR levels
• Replenish inventory as needed and operate the canteen twice weekly
• Maintain accurate records of purchases and reconcile transactions with individual patient monetary accounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED