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 Bunkie. This role combines direct patient interaction with financial stewardship to support overall patient care and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

Patient Advocacy & Rounding:

• 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

Patient Accounts Management:

• 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

Accounting & Reporting:

• 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

Financial Communication & Support:

• 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

Canteen Management:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred

Experience & Skills:

• 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

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 pounds during patient rounding and canteen operations

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Bunkie provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.