How can you determine if a Patient Advocate role is right for you?

1 What are your motivations?

The first question to ask yourself is why you want to become a Patient Advocate. What are your values, passions, and goals? Do you have a personal or professional experience that inspired you to help others in similar situations? Do you enjoy problem-solving, researching, and communicating? Do you have empathy, compassion, and respect for diverse perspectives and needs? Your motivations can help you identify your strengths, interests, and areas of improvement as a potential Patient Advocate.

2 What are your qualifications?

The next question to ask yourself is what qualifications you have or need to become a Patient Advocate. There is no standard education or certification requirement for this role, but some employers may prefer candidates with a background in health care, social work, law, or related fields. You may also need to acquire specific skills and knowledge, such as medical terminology, health literacy, patient rights, ethics, and legal issues. You can look for online or in-person courses, workshops, webinars, or mentorship programs that can help you prepare for this role.

3 What are your options?

The third question to ask yourself is what options you have to pursue a career in Patient Advocacy. There are different types of Patient Advocates, such as hospital-based, independent, non-profit, or insurance-based. Each type has its own scope, responsibilities, and challenges. You may also want to consider the setting, population, and specialty that you want to work with. For example, you may prefer to work in a clinic, a home, or a community center. You may want to focus on children, seniors, or veterans. You may have an interest in chronic diseases, mental health, or palliative care.

4 What are your expectations?

The fourth question to ask yourself is what expectations you have for a career in Patient Advocacy. This role can be rewarding, but also demanding and stressful. You may have to deal with complex, sensitive, and emotional situations. You may have to work with multiple stakeholders, such as patients, families, providers, insurers, and regulators. You may have to balance competing interests, priorities, and demands. You may have to face ethical dilemmas, conflicts, and barriers. You may have to cope with uncertainty, ambiguity, and change.

5 What are your resources?

The fifth question to ask yourself is what resources you have or need to support your career in Patient Advocacy. This role can require a lot of time, energy, and money. You may have to invest in your education, training, certification, or licensing. You may have to pay for your own equipment, insurance, or fees. You may have to work long hours, travel frequently, or be on call. You may have to deal with burnout, compassion fatigue, or isolation. You may need to seek professional, personal, or financial assistance to sustain your career.

6 What are your next steps?

The final question to ask yourself is what next steps you can take to pursue a career in Patient Advocacy. You can start by doing more research, networking, and shadowing. You can look for online or offline sources of information, such as websites, blogs, podcasts, books, or articles. You can connect with other Patient Advocates, mentors, coaches, or organizations. You can observe or volunteer with different types of Patient Advocates, settings, populations, or specialties. You can also create a plan, set goals, and take action to achieve your career aspirations.