Social Medicine Patient Support Representative
About The Position
The Social Medicine Patient Support Representative is an integral member of the Social Medicine clinical team, supporting the interdisciplinary team, engaging patients, and managing social needs experienced by patients on a day to day basis. The Patient Support Specialist works in coordination with the interdisciplinary Social Medicine clinical team, with partner organizations and within the Social Medicine Hub and Housing. The primary responsibilities of the Social Medicine Patient Support Specialist include: engaging patients in the Social Medicine Hub and Housing, hospital spaces to build positive rapport, supporting initial patient navigation across Social Medicine programs, facilitating patient-centred activities, and ensuring documentation is completed as appropriate. This position recognizes the University Health Network's commitment to health equity, to create a culturally safe institution for structurally marginalized people, and to educating future health care providers about health equity.
Requirements
- At minimum, completion of high school and additional program under 1 year in community health, mental health, substance abuse, peer support programs or recognized equivalent required or recognized equivalent of practical, lived experience and non-traditional training.
- At minimum 1 year practical and related experience and/ or 1 year on-the-job training
- Experience working with patients experiencing systemic marginalization, homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.
- Experience with the provision of trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive practices
- Strong knowledge of, and familiarity with, community resources to address the social determinants of health
- Dynamic knowledge of community engagement principles
- Experience with crisis de-escalation
- Trained in overdose response, CPR, and first aid
- Proven ability to work as a team member and independently
- Ability to have and use diplomacy and tact at all times
Nice To Haves
- Lived experience is considered a strong asset.
Responsibilities
- Engage and build rapport with patients at the Social Medicine Hub and other hospital and Social Medicine spaces.
- Introduce and consent patients to participate in Social Medicine supports and services.
- Support patient navigation by providing accompaniments to appointments within the hospital setting.
- Facilitate and participate in patient-centered activities
- Support the development and/or revision of policies, procedures, and/or best practices targeted towards improving the wellbeing and safety of marginalized clients.
- Assist with development, dissemination and posting of communication materials related to resources & supports for clients
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in hospital records, including the EPIC system and other trackers, in accordance with organizational standards.
- Ensure adherence to engagement protocols and communication standards
- Identify trends in patient needs and flag opportunities for improving engagement approaches
- Organize and prioritize outreach activities based on patient needs and program priorities
- Support scheduling and coordination of patient interactions and follow-ups
- Identify risks and escalate issues related to patient safety, access, or system barriers.
Benefits
- Competitive offer packages
- Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
- Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
- A flexible work environment
- Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
- Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
