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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Health Advisor

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

HealthcareAdvisoryWellnessPublic HealthConsulting

🎯 Role Definition

As a Health Advisor, you will be the cornerstone of our members' health journey, acting as a dedicated coach, educator, and advocate. You will leverage your clinical expertise and exceptional interpersonal skills to empower individuals to take control of their health. This role is pivotal in driving positive health outcomes, improving quality of life, and promoting preventative care. You will conduct in-depth health assessments, create customized wellness strategies, and provide continuous support to help clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and achieve their personal health goals. This is a dynamic position that blends clinical knowledge with a passion for helping others, making a tangible impact one person at a time.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Health Coach or Wellness Coordinator
  • Licensed Social Worker (LCSW) or Case Manager
  • Dietitian or Nutritionist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Health Advisor or Clinical Team Lead
  • Health Program Manager
  • Director of Wellness & Population Health
  • Clinical Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Wellness Strategist
  • Patient Advocate
  • Healthcare Informatics Analyst
  • Clinical Training Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive, holistic health and wellness assessments for members via telephonic, virtual, or in-person consultations to identify health risks, lifestyle patterns, and readiness for change.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor highly personalized care plans and wellness programs that address nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep hygiene, and chronic disease prevention.
  • Provide expert, evidence-based health coaching and education using motivational interviewing techniques to empower members to set and achieve their health goals.
  • Serve as the primary clinical point of contact for an assigned panel of members, building strong, trusting relationships and ensuring continuity of care.
  • Guide members through the healthcare system, assisting with appointment scheduling, understanding treatment options, and interpreting complex medical information.
  • Proactively engage with high-risk populations, utilizing data analytics to identify individuals who would benefit most from intervention and outreach.
  • Collaborate closely with physicians, specialists, therapists, and other healthcare providers to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to member care.
  • Document all member interactions, assessments, plans, and progress meticulously and accurately within the electronic health record (EHR) or case management system.
  • Deliver engaging health and wellness workshops, webinars, and group coaching sessions on relevant topics like diabetes management, heart health, mental resilience, and ergonomics.
  • Stay current with the latest advancements in health science, preventative medicine, and behavioral change theories to provide the most effective guidance.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of wellness programs and interventions by tracking member progress, health outcomes, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Provide empathetic support and crisis intervention for members experiencing acute health issues or significant life stressors, connecting them to appropriate resources.
  • Assist members in understanding their health benefits, insurance coverage, and available wellness resources to maximize their utilization.
  • Act as a subject matter expert on specific health conditions, providing in-depth knowledge and tailored advice to both members and internal teams.
  • Review and analyze member health data, including biometric screenings and health risk assessments, to identify trends and inform strategic interventions.
  • Champion a culture of health and wellness within the organization and for our clients, promoting healthy behaviors and preventative care initiatives.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc requests for health data analysis and reporting to inform program development and client presentations.
  • Contribute to the organization's population health strategy and the continuous improvement of our wellness service roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units, including product and marketing, to translate member health needs and feedback into new program features and communication materials.
  • Participate actively in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies within the clinical and product development teams.
  • Mentor junior health advisors and contribute to the development of training materials and best practice guidelines.
  • Participate in community outreach events and health fairs to promote services and engage with potential members.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Motivational Interviewing: Expertise in using this collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
  • Clinical Assessment: Strong ability to conduct comprehensive health assessments, including interpreting biometric data.
  • EHR/CRM Proficiency: Experience with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms for documentation.
    -Chronic Disease Management: In-depth clinical knowledge of common chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Health Education Program Development: Skill in designing and implementing effective health education materials and programs.
  • Bilingualism: Fluency in a second language (e.g., Spanish) is highly desirable to serve a diverse population.

Soft Skills

  • Empathy & Compassion: A genuine desire to help others and the ability to build rapport and trust with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • Active Listening: The ability to fully concentrate, understand, respond, and remember what is being said.
  • Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills to explain complex medical concepts in an easy-to-understand manner.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to develop creative solutions for individual health challenges.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to manage a dynamic caseload, handle emotionally charged conversations, and adapt to evolving program needs.
  • Time Management & Organization: Excellent organizational skills to manage member interactions, follow-ups, and documentation efficiently.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a health-related field.
  • Active and unrestricted clinical license/certification (e.g., RN, RD, LCSW, CHES).

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Public Health (MPH), Health Science, Nursing (MSN), or a related discipline.
  • Certification in Health Coaching (e.g., NBC-HWC) or Case Management (CCM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Nursing
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Kinesiology or Exercise Science
  • Health Education
  • Social Work

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of experience in a clinical, health coaching, or patient-facing role.

Preferred:

  • Direct experience in case management, patient navigation, or telephonic health coaching.
  • Proven experience working with individuals on behavior change, particularly related to chronic condition management and lifestyle modification.
  • Experience in a corporate wellness or population health management environment is a significant asset.