ANCHORAGE, Dec. 22, 2011 — The Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) is recruiting an Anchorage-based patient advocate who will work with KANA and SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) patients seeking care at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

The patient advocate will be based with the Customer Experience staff at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). This position is shared by KANA and SEARHC, with supervision from KANA. The patient advocate serves as a customer liaison for KANA and SEARHC patients who travel to Anchorage to receive care at ANMC. The patient advocate helps patients and their families use and navigate the Alaska Tribal Health Care System. The patient advocate also ensures patients receive the highest quality health care possible and are satisfied with the care provided.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (behavioral health sciences, human services, sociology, psychology, social services, communications, human or organizational development, customer service), with relevant work experience and college education acceptable as a substitute. The applicant must have at least five years of customer service experience, and must possess an ability to balance both sides of a disagreement to mediate positive outcomes. The applicant must possess warmth, compassion, empathy and support, while also possessing a sense of personal boundaries to be able to relate with distressed persons effectively. Applicants should have a general knowledge of the Alaska Tribal Health Care System, as well as knowledge of local and regional community resources and how to access them. Applicants should know medical terminology, and have a demonstrated ability to plan and think strategically, set realistic goals and balance multiple priorities.

To learn more about the open position and its job requirements, go tohttps://www.kanaweb.org/html/jobs.php and scroll down to the Patient Advocate job listing. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 6. Paper applications also can be picked up in Anchorage by going to the Customer Experience department at ANMC (located across from the cafeteria). The completed applications can be scanned and e-mailed to hr@kanaweb.org, faxed to 1-907-486-9898, or mailed to Kodiak Area Native Association, 3449 Rezanof Drive East, Kodiak, Alaska, 99615. For more information, contact the KANA Human Resources Department at 907-486-9800(in Kodiak) or send an e-mail to hr@kanaweb.org.

For now, SEARHC and KANA patients who need help while seeking treatment at ANMC or the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium should call the main number at the ANMC Customer Experience department (729-3990) to receive support. Once the KANA/SEARHC patient advocate for Anchorage is hired, a new release will be issued with the direct number for assistance.