How can you gain patient advocacy experience through volunteer work?

1 Benefits of volunteering

Volunteering as a patient advocate can offer you many benefits, both personally and professionally. You can learn from experienced mentors, gain exposure to different health settings and issues, and build your confidence and communication skills. You can also make a positive impact on your community, help improve health outcomes and quality of life for patients, and demonstrate your commitment and passion for patient advocacy. Volunteering can also help you expand your network, connect with potential employers, and showcase your skills and achievements on your resume.

2 How to find opportunities

There are many ways to find volunteer opportunities that match your interests, skills, and goals. You can start by researching local, national, or international organizations that focus on patient advocacy, health education, or specific health conditions or populations. You can also check online platforms that list volunteer opportunities, such as VolunteerMatch, Idealist, or DoSomething. You can also reach out to your existing contacts, such as professors, colleagues, or friends, who might have connections or recommendations for patient advocacy volunteer work.

3 What to expect

Depending on the organization, the role, and the project, your volunteer experience as a patient advocate can vary widely. You might be involved in tasks such as providing information and support to patients and their families, conducting research and analysis, creating educational materials, organizing events or campaigns, or advocating for policy changes. You might work individually or as part of a team, remotely or on-site, and for a short-term or long-term period. You should expect to receive some training and guidance from the organization, but also to be proactive, flexible, and adaptable to changing needs and situations.

5 How to succeed

To succeed as a volunteer patient advocate, you should follow some best practices and tips. You should communicate clearly and regularly with your supervisor, team members, and clients, and ask for help or clarification when needed. You should also respect the confidentiality, privacy, and autonomy of the patients and their families, and follow the ethical standards and guidelines of the organization. You should also be open to learning new things, taking on challenges, and receiving constructive feedback. You should also track your progress, achievements, and challenges, and reflect on your learning and growth.

6 How to leverage

After you complete your volunteer work as a patient advocate, you should leverage your experience to advance your career and network. You should update your resume, portfolio, and social media profiles with your skills, accomplishments, and testimonials from your volunteer work. You should also maintain and expand your network by staying in touch with your supervisor, team members, and clients, and asking for referrals, recommendations, or endorsements. You should also seek out opportunities to share your insights, lessons, and stories from your volunteer work, such as through blogs, podcasts, or events.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?