Job Description

85042 Wake Forest University Health Sciences - Academic Public Health Sciences: Epidemiology

Full time

Yes

40

First Shift

Pay Range:

$30.70 - $46.05

The Care Advocate Coordinator serves as the trusted point of contact for pregnant and postpartum patients from enrollment through 12 months postpartum. The role combines empathetic engagement, structured brief assessment/intervention, care planning with shared decision-making, motivational interviewing techniques, closed loop referrals, and consistent communication with OB, pediatrics, primary care, behavioral health, and community partners. The Care Advocate Coordinator documents all contacts, follows site safety protocols, and contributes to quality improvement and evaluation.

This role is for individuals with social work, behavioral health, or related backgrounds, working in close partnership with nursing staff for medical questions or elevated clinical concerns.

Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in social work, counseling, psychology, nursing, or related field.

• ≥2 years in care coordination/case management or patient navigation.

• Experience conducting mental health/SUD risk assessments, brief interventions, and referrals.

• Knowledge of community resources and patient advocacy; experience with diverse populations and equity‑focused, trauma‑informed care.

• Proficiency with technology‑enabled communication (texting platforms, telehealth) and accurate documentation.

Preferred

*Prior experience in obstetrics or maternal health

• Knowledge of SDoH and community resource networks

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred

Key Responsibilities

Clinical/Coordination

• Review automated screening results and relevant EHR information daily.

• Conduct phone (preferred) or video (if needed) brief assessments for positive screens (mental health, substance use, IPV, SDoH, highrisk conditions).

• Deliver brief interventions (SBIRT principles), education, and collaborative care plans using motivational interviewing and shared decision-making.

• Triage and manage nonemergent risks; escalate medical concerns to nursing/clinical partners and behavioral health emergencies per SOPs (suicide, overdose, psychiatric crisis, IPV danger).

• Complete warm handoffs; schedule with internal/external providers; ensure information exchange consistent with privacy laws and consents.

• Confirm engagement with referrals; troubleshoot barriers (transport, childcare, cost, coverage, language, etc.); re-engage as needed.

Documentation & Communication

• Document assessments, plans, and follow-ups in the program platform and per EHR standards (progress notes, messages).

• Communicate promptly with clinical teams about risks, plans, and updates; use closed loop processes.

• Maintain accurate, timely worklogs and dashboards for fidelity and monitoring.

Resources & Partnerships

• Contribute to building and updating the site resource library; tailor resource lists to geography and patient preferences.

• Collaborate with community partners, and behavioral health partners to strengthen pathways and reduce handoff failures.

Quality, Training & Evaluation

• Participate in onboarding, case practicums, supervision (case staffing/consultation), and ongoing learning collaborative activities.

• Use embedded reports to monitor timeliness, follow-up completion, and referral success; contribute to continuous quality improvement.

• Support data quality activities and periodic evaluation.

Core Competencies

• Empathy and cultural humility

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Comfort discussing sensitive topics which may include mental health, substance use, intimate partner violence, social determinants of health, discrimination and disrespectful care.

• Collaborative spirit and adaptability

• Commitment to advancing equity and respectful care

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

• Incentive pay for select positions

• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs

• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

• Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.