How can you plan your career as a Patient Advocate?

1 What is patient advocacy?

Patient advocacy is the process of empowering and protecting the rights and interests of patients in the healthcare system. Patient advocates can provide a range of services, from helping patients comprehend their diagnosis and treatment options, to communicating with healthcare providers and insurers on their behalf. They can also research and provide information and resources, advocate for patients' preferences and values in decision-making, assist with insurance claims, appeals, and complaints, educate patients and their families about their rights and responsibilities, as well as provide emotional support and coping strategies.

2 What skills and qualifications do you need?

To be a successful patient advocate, you need a combination of hard and soft skills, as well as relevant qualifications. Hard skills such as knowledge of medical terminology, proficiency in research and data analysis, familiarity with health insurance, and the ability to use technology are essential. On the other hand, soft skills such as communication, empathy, critical thinking, ethics, organization, and self-motivation are also important. Qualifications such as a high school diploma or equivalent, a bachelor's degree in a health-related field (optional but preferred), certification or credential from a reputable organization (optional but recommended), and experience in working with patients (optional but desirable) are also necessary.

3 How to get started as a patient advocate?

If you are interested in becoming a patient advocate, you can start by exploring the different types of patient advocacy roles and settings. For instance, you could work as a clinical patient advocate, who focuses on medical aspects of care; a financial patient advocate, who assists with insurance and billing matters; or a legal patient advocate, who deals with legal and ethical issues regarding patient rights. Additionally, you could work as a general patient advocate, covering a broad range of needs. You can choose to work in a hospital, clinic, insurance company, nonprofit organization, or as an independent contractor.

To build your skills and qualifications for this role, consider taking courses, workshops, or online programs related to patient advocacy, health care, or communication. Volunteering or interning at a health care facility or patient advocacy group is also beneficial. You should also network and connect with other patient advocates and health care professionals. Additionally, creating a portfolio or resume that showcases your skills and achievements is helpful. Finally, apply for jobs, contracts, or projects that match your interests and abilities.

4 How to advance your career as a patient advocate?

As you gain more experience and expertise as a patient advocate, you can look for opportunities to advance your career and increase your impact. Pursuing higher education or specialized training, renewing certifications or credentials from a recognized organization, joining a professional association, network, or community of practice, seeking feedback or evaluation from peers, supervisors, or clients, updating your portfolio with latest achievements and references, exploring new niches for services, and developing your own brand are all ways to further your career. Additionally, having a website or blog to showcase your work can help attract clients.

5 How to overcome challenges as a patient advocate?

Being a patient advocate can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it can also be challenging and stressful. You may encounter complex, sensitive, or emotional situations, or have to balance multiple roles and tasks with the expectations of others. Additionally, navigating the bureaucracy and regulations of the health care system while facing resistance from some parties can be difficult. To cope with burnout, compassion fatigue, or vicarious trauma, you need to have strategies and resources in place, such as establishing clear boundaries and roles with your clients, communicating effectively and assertively with respect and professionalism, seeking support from colleagues or mentors, accessing information that can help you perform your tasks, practicing self-care techniques to manage stress and emotions, and celebrating successes while learning from mistakes.

6 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?