Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, FL is seeking a bilingual (English/Spanish) Patient Advocate Representative to serve as a frontline resource for self-pay patients navigating financial assistance, government programs, and insurance eligibility. This bedside-facing, hospital-based role sits at the intersection of patient access, social services, and revenue cycle — making it a meaningful position for a candidate who combines strong interpersonal skills with working knowledge of federal, state, and county benefit programs. The role operates across both hospital and office environments, with direct patient and staff contact throughout the care continuum.
Perks and Benefits
- Competitive benefits package included with employment
- Access to resources and incentives designed to support career advancement within a large, nationally operating healthcare organization
- Vaccination and health screening support provided as part of onboarding (COVID-19, influenza, and applicable future requirements)
- Reasonable accommodations provided for qualified individuals with disabilities
- E-Verify participating employer; employment practices comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws
Practice Highlights
- Bedside screening of self-pay patients for eligibility across governmental programs (Medicaid, Medicare, county assistance) and non-governmental programs
- Identification and routing of all potential payor sources including auto insurance, Workers' Compensation, commercial insurance, private insurance, and third-party liability (TPL)
- Completion and documentation of Confidential Financial Statement forms; active assistance guiding patients through benefit application processes
- Conducts in-person patient and family interviews at bedside and in the field (home visits for skip tracing and document assistance)
- Manages follow-up on EES-assigned accounts to ensure government applications are processed through to eligibility determination
- Performs financial clearance functions including collections; prepares accounts for Financial Assistance review and cancels uncooperative, ineligible accounts per protocol
- Communicates screening determinations and outcomes to hospital case management, social services, and admissions staff via verbal and written channels
- Works across multiple hospital facilities and platforms, coordinating with multiple supervisors and departments simultaneously
- Work environment spans both hospital floors (including Emergency Department) and office settings, with direct patient and staff contact
- Some travel required, including field visits to patient homes
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Minimum 2 years of work experience in social services, hospital admitting, or a directly related field
- Working familiarity with federal, state, and county program rules and regulations governing patient financial assistance and government benefits
- Proficiency in PC systems including Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize competing tasks, and manage multiple accounts with accuracy and efficiency
- Detail-oriented with experience navigating multi-facility or multi-platform environments
- Physical ability to walk through hospital campus environments, visit patients at bedside, and sit at a computer terminal for extended periods; travel capability required
About the Community
Hialeah is one of South Florida's most vibrant and culturally rich cities, situated in Miami-Dade County just minutes from Miami's urban core, international airport, and the broader South Florida metropolitan area. The region offers year-round warm weather, a strong Latin cultural identity, diverse dining and entertainment, and easy access to beaches, the Florida Keys, and the Everglades. With a large Spanish-speaking population, bilingual professionals will find both professional relevance and community connection here. Cost of living is competitive relative to coastal Miami, and the area's robust healthcare infrastructure makes it a strong long-term market for healthcare professionals at every level.