YouEmpowered Inc.

CARE Companions

Patient Navigation & Health Literacy Partnership

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CARE Companions is a patient-centered program that partners with free clinics and clinics serving underserved populations to help patients better understand their care, navigate referrals, and follow through on treatment plans.

CARE Companions are trained, non-clinical volunteers who work alongside clinics to support patients before, between, and after medical visits. This program does not provide medical care. Instead, it strengthens existing healthcare services by addressing health literacy, access barriers, and care coordination challenges.

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CARE Companions focuses on four pillars:

• Comprehension: Helping patients understand diagnoses, instructions, and care plans in plain language

• Access: Identifying and addressing barriers such as transportation, cost, or language

• Referrals: Supporting patients in completing specialist referrals and follow-ups

• Empowerment: Coaching patients to ask questions and participate actively in their care

 

By improving patient understanding and follow-through, CARE Companions reduces care drop-off and supports clinics in delivering more effective, equitable care.

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We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Empathetic, patient, and respectful

• Comfortable working with diverse and underserved populations

• Strong listeners who communicate clearly

• Reliable and able to commit consistently

• Comfortable maintaining strict role boundaries

• Ideal candidates include:

  • Undergraduate students (public health, pre-health, psychology, sociology, social work, health policy, or related fields)

  • Gap-year students or recent graduates pursuing health-related careers

  • Community members with relevant lived or caregiving experience

• Clinical training is not required.

• As a CARE Companion™, you will work with patients referred by partner clinics to:

  • Explain visit instructions and care plans in plain language​

  • Help patients prepare questions for upcoming appointments

  • Support referral and follow-up completion

  • Identify barriers such as cost, transportation, or confusion

  • Document interactions using standardized tools

• You will receive comprehensive training and ongoing supervision.

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How to Apply:

Please submit to info.youempowered@gmail.com

 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

1. A brief statement of interest (300–500 words)

2. Your availability and expected commitment period

3. A resume (if applicable)