AGENCY BACKGROUND:

Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization founded in 1979. NMIC has grown into a leading multi-service agency with over 120 staff members serving New York City with a focus on upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of the people in our community on their paths to secure and prosperous futures. Integration is the cornerstone of NMIC’s programs, and our staff can identify and address a broad array of immediate needs through comprehensive crisis intervention services. With their matters resolved, clients move seamlessly to capacity building services through our holistic programs designed to transition individuals and families to self-sufficiency.

• Our Legal, Organizing, Advocacy, and Weatherization programs meet community members’ basic needs including legal representation in immigration related matters, housing, financial services and health related matters
• Our Education & Career Services program impacts individual community members with the practical tools necessary to build secure and prosperous futures

Job Title: Health Advocate
Department: Legal, Organizing, & Advocacy
Unit: Benefits & Advocacy Services
Reports To: Coordinator of Wellness Services
Location: Main Office: 45 Wadsworth Avenue, NY, NY 10033
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Model: In-Person

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with Latino immigrant populations in a community-based setting strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of healthcare access and coverage including the NYS of Health Marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, PCAP, FPEP, ADAP, and CHIP is preferred, but NMIC will provide training as necessary.
• Experience facilitating workshops in English & Spanish
• Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Strong verbal and writing skills in English and Spanish (bilingual skills required).

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Health Advocate is a position within NMIC’s Benefits & Advocacy Services that will work within New York City’s Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP) and Access Health Program in coordination with NMIC’s highly skilled and experienced, interdisciplinary team to empower the most vulnerable populations in our community to overcome the barriers that prevent them from accessing care and help them understand their health insurance benefits and coverage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help clients understand their health insurance coverage, including Medicaid, Medicare, Essential Plan, CHP, commercial or employer-based insurance.
• Assist clients with understanding and accessing benefits such as prescription drugs or routine and specialist medical services.
• Attend and conduct community outreach events and share available resources with clients and community partners on health insurance and health care access.
• Educate consumers about their insurance rights and responsibilities.
• Refer uninsured consumers to Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, or Community Service Society’s helpline for Marketplace enrollment or renewal.
• Help consumers who are unable to qualify for coverage, including undocumented immigrants, find sources of free or low-cost care such as hospital financial assistance, NYC Care, federally qualified health centers, prescription drug programs, and other programs.
• Help clients understand how to choose a health care plan.
• Explain cost-sharing concepts such as co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles.
• Refer clients to internal or external programs to help address other healthcare or essential needs.
• Enter client data into appropriate agency and partner databases including but not limited to ClientTrack and Salesforce.
• Oversee and/or facilitate community workshops on-site working with community partners to leverage partnerships
• Support Coordinator of Wellness Services in additional related tasks and projects
• Attend department and agency-wide meetings as scheduled.
  Additional related responsibilities may be assigned.