Sr Patient Liaison

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Patient Liaison position is responsible for acting as advocate for patient issues effectively and participates in the resolution of problems and communication of procedures, services, etc. to maximize patient and family satisfaction. As a Patient Liaison with extensive experience in patient advocacy, problem-solving, and customer service, this Sr position serves as a subject matter expert and liaises between Houston Methodist administration and patients, physicians, and other hospital personnel capable of handling complex patient relations, ensuring a satisfying hospital experience for patients from admission through discharge. This position receives grievances, complaints, and concerns from patients, their families and others; works with patients and families along with department management for resolution in accordance with HM grievance policy and regulatory guidelines. The Sr Patient Liaison position enables patients and their families to obtain solutions to problems by acting on their behalf and serves as Rights Protection Officers for Psychiatry according to the Texas Department of Health regulations as appropriate. This position assists in training new Patient Liaisons.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Meet all new patients. Interacts with patients, families and visitors, providing support and problem solving. Directs patients and/or families to appropriate resources when specific requests are made

• Communicates directly with department heads, their designee and/or administrative staff regarding specific problems and trends in service

• Serves as the subject matter expert and communication liaison, role modeling the use of efficient and effective communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish and maintain a team environment, and to include the patient and family as a part of the team regarding their plan of care

• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues and serves as a resource/mentor to less experienced staff

• Participates in decision-making related to the continuation or completion of treatment, particular to the end-of-life, including the appropriate application of policies regarding informed consent, capacity/competency, confidentiality, procuring and donating organs/tissue, and mechanisms protecting patients and their rights

• Ensures adequate closure to patient issues through thorough and prompt follow-up facilitating the resolution of problems to the satisfaction of the patient and HM

• Receives escalations of complaints or conflict with the interests of patients, families, physicians and other inter-professional health care team members. Drives department service standards and activities to improve department score for patient satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability

QUALITY/SAFE