Patient Advocate-Behavioral Health, Part Time

Behavioral HealthNo weekendsPart-Time

Listed compensation

$17.05-$22.17/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – Friday

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry.

As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system.

We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

  • Part time, 30 hours per week, days and shift times vary dependent on coverage needs.
  • Availability needed Monday-Friday

*No weekends.

Client Access Specialist/Patient Advocate – Outpatient Behavioral Health

The Patient Advocate reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Description: Consistently practices Patients First philosophy and adheres to high standards of customer service. This includes setting an example to peers, coworkers, etc. by fostering a team atmosphere. Responds to questions and concerns. Forwards, directs, and notifies Supervisor of extraordinary issues as necessary. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA regulations.

Specific Responsibilities

Provides exceptional customer service to patients which establish a positive first impression of Northwestern Medicine.

Exceeds all consumer requests and alerts management of issues or concerns that require escalation.

Correctly identifies and collects patient demographic information in accordance with organization standards and enters into electronic medical record (EPIC).

Interacts with various behavioral health departments to effectively schedule and direct patients through the NMHC systems in a patient/customer friendly manner.

Reaches out to patients to schedule an appointment as defined. Communicates options to patient if appointment fails.

Runs real time eligibility (RTE) on all patients to verify insurance and follows out of network policies as applicable.

  • Evolves and learns as healthcare policies and state mandated policies change.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license for the purpose of driving between locations as needed.
  • Provides training and education as needed.
  • Manages work schedule efficiently, completing tasks and assignments on time.
  • Verifies insurance, secures necessary signatures on required documents and completes registration process.
  • Accepts co-payments, prior balances, and any payments due from the days’ visit.
  • Cross-training between various departments will take place to ensure coverage.
  • Uses effective service recovery skills to solve problems or service breakdowns when they occur.
  • Utilizes department policies and procedures to complete assigned tasks.
  • Adheres to all department policies and compliance requirements.
  • Avoids putting patient in financial or safety risk.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

High school graduate

Preferred

  • One year of experience in a clerical position.
  • Some college.
  • Additional Information

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers.

If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.

Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events.

  • Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information
  • NorthwesternMedicine Career Page

jobs.nm.org

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

  • Job Shift: Rotating
  • Salary Range Minimum: $17.05
  • Salary Range Maximum: $22.17
  • Compensation: USD 17.05 - USD 22.17 - hourly

Key Responsibilities

Provide exceptional customer service and administrative support for outpatient behavioral health patients, including scheduling and registration. Manage patient demographics, verify insurance eligibility, and collect co-payments using the EPIC system.

Key Skills

Patient SchedulingInsurance VerificationHIPAA CompliancePatient RegistrationDemographic Data CollectionPayment CollectionBehavioral Health Administration

Behavioral Health Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$41k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $41k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Behavioral Health pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

What does the Behavioral Health market look like in Illinois?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$35k–$46kBehavioral Health median $60k (middle half $50k–$80k)14 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$41k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Behavioral Health listings in Illinois23 active765 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
New Behavioral Health listings821 in the last 30 days589 the 30 days before (+39%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Behavioral Health pay trend−1.5% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-life snapshot

3.9/ 10
Listing-based score
  • No weekends
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare logo

About Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Chicago, Illinois
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Tuition reimbursement
Loan forgiveness
401(k) matching
Lifecycle benefits

Living in DeKalb

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$258k
Typical market rent
$1,320/mo
Residents’ average commute
24 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.