Patient Outreach Specialist

Grapefruit Health, a forward-thinking healthcare services organisation, is seeking dedicated individuals to join their team as Patient Outreach Specialists. This role is integral to Grapefruit Health's mission of addressing the critical staffing shortages within the healthcare sector by empowering recent graduates to gain valuable clinical experience. The company specialises in training and managing healthcare graduates to conduct essential patient interactions remotely, leveraging a proprietary software platform designed for efficiency and effectiveness. This approach ensures patients receive prompt attention and support, while healthcare organisations can expand their reach and capacity, and crucially, graduates gain practical, real-world clinical exposure.

About the Role

As a Patient Outreach Specialist, you will be at the forefront of patient engagement, working directly with individuals to support their health and wellness journeys. The role is designed with flexibility in mind, requiring a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week, which you will have the autonomy to schedule around your other commitments. This allows for a balanced approach to work and personal life, while still contributing significantly to patient care. The interactions will primarily be telephonic, conducted using Grapefruit Health's bespoke platform, "The Grove." This technology is purpose-built to guide specialists through structured assessments and vital wellness check-ins, ensuring a consistent and high-quality patient experience.

Your primary responsibilities will revolve around direct patient interaction and meticulous record-keeping. You will conduct telephonic assessments and follow-up calls, engaging patients in conversations designed to monitor their well-being and identify any emerging concerns. A key aspect of this role is the accurate and timely documentation of all interaction outcomes directly within The Grove platform. This ensures that patient progress is tracked effectively and that all healthcare stakeholders have access to up-to-date information.

Furthermore, patient safety is paramount. You will be trained to identify potential risks and will be responsible for escalating any patient safety concerns to a licensed clinical supervisor in real time. Maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security is non-negotiable; therefore, strict adherence to HIPAA regulations and patient confidentiality protocols at all times is essential. The role also involves a commitment to professional development, requiring participation in comprehensive onboarding training sessions and ongoing check-ins to support your growth and performance.

What They're Looking For

Grapefruit Health is specifically looking for individuals who have graduated from healthcare programmes. Active clinical enrollment alone does not qualify for this position, indicating a preference for those who have completed their formal training. While not strictly mandatory, possessing a certification as a medical assistant, community health worker, patient navigator, pharmacy technician, or a comparable clinical credential will be considered an advantage.

To perform this role effectively, you will need access to a compatible computer and a mobile phone with SMS capabilities. The ability to dedicate at least 20 hours per week to patient outreach is a fundamental requirement. Equally important is the provision of a quiet, private workspace, free from any background noise or distractions, to ensure focused and professional patient interactions. Strong verbal communication skills are essential, or alternatively, a genuine enthusiasm and willingness to develop these skills are highly valued. Finally, comfort working independently within a remote environment is crucial, as this role requires self-discipline and the ability to manage your workload autonomously.

In South Africa, roles that involve patient outreach and administrative support within the healthcare sector can vary significantly in remuneration depending on the employer and the specific responsibilities. Entry-level positions often fall within the R8,000 to R15,000 per month range, with opportunities for growth as experience and qualifications increase. Common employers include private healthcare providers, hospitals, and specialised health services companies that focus on patient engagement or chronic disease management. Career progression might involve moving into more senior outreach roles, supervisory positions, or transitioning into other healthcare administrative or clinical support functions.

• U.S. based required.
• Must be a healthcare school graduate — active clinical enrollment does not qualify for this role.
• Certification as a medical assistant, community health worker, patient navigator, pharmacy technician, or comparable clinical credential is a plus.
• Must have a compatible computer and cell phone with SMS.
• Must be able to work at least 20 hours/week.
• A quiet, private workspace free of background noise or distractions.
• Strong verbal communication skills, or a genuine desire to develop them.
• Comfort working independently in a remote environment.