Community Health & Wellness Advocate
The Community, Health, and Wellness Advocate (CHWA) is a multi-skilled care manager who helps the patient navigate the complex maze of health and social service providers to find appropriate care. The CHWA educates patients and family members about healthy behaviors, monitors compliance with care management plans, and can accompany a patient on healthcare appointments. The advocate fosters mutual trust with a patient to develop an ongoing professional relationship. Health and Wellness Advocates are required to have a wide-ranging skill set and knowledge base. Through a solid foundation in medical ethics and cultural awareness, the CHWA addresses the physical health, mental health, drug use, and social factors affecting a patient's health and wellness. The advocate must be familiar with the appropriate local, state, regional, and national agencies available to assist the patient, including familiarity with health information systems and healthcare funding.