Make a Difference as a Patient Advocate

The role of “patient advocate” is new andInsurance Assistance:
evolving. As the importance of patients’ rights• Knowledge of the health insurance system,
gains momentum, a group of healthcareincluding private insurance and Medicare/Medicaid
professionals has banded together to stand up for• Experience in billing and/or coding a plus
the best interests of their patients. Because• Compassion and empathy
patient advocates are a new career path, many• Patience
healthcare professionals declare themselves• Friendly disposition
“patient advocates” after extensive• Ability to stand up to insurance companies
experience in the fields. However, degreewith the patient’s best interests in mind
programs focusing on healthcare advocacy are• Excellent communication skills
cropping up across the United States.• Ability to multi-task and remain organized
One of the best things about patient advocacy isHome Health Assistance:
the variety of jobs you can take on. Not all• Experience working as a nursing assistant or
patient advocates work in hospitals. Many work inhome health aide
non-profits, insurance companies, and government• Compassion and patience
agencies. If you haven’t had clinical• Ability to multi-task
experience, you can still use your skills as a• Friendly disposition
patient advocate.• Ability to make decisions in the patient’s
What is a Patient Advocate?best interest
Patient advocates come in a variety of specialties.Elderly and Geriatric Health Assistance:
No matter the field, their primary job is to ensure• Experience working as a nursing assistant or
that patients receive the care they need andhome health aide
stand up for patients’ rights. Basically, patient• Compassion and patience
advocacy encompasses any job that is for a• Ability to multi-task
patient’s benefit.• Friendly disposition
Patient advocates can be government agencies,• Ability to make decisions in the patient’s
non-profits, or individual healthcare workers. Forbest interest
the purpose of this article, we will assume• Experience working in geriatrics preferred
“patient advocate” is an individual.Legal Assistance:
There are 5 main types of patient advocacy:• Experience working in the legal system
Medical Assistance: Work closely with patients in• Understanding of malpractice, disability,
hospitals providing medical assistance. May helpMedicare, etc.
diagnose or treat disorders. May accompany• Compassion and patience
patient to appointments. Must have previous• Ability to make tough decisions that are in
medical experience/medical knowledge. Good jobthe patient’s best interest
for retired doctors and nurses.• Open-minded
Insurance Assistance: Assist with navigating the• Experience working with people from a
confusing world of health insurance. Make surevariety of backgrounds
patients have the necessary coverage. Deal withHow Can a Patient Advocate Help?
insurance companies on behalf of the patient andBecause patient advocates can work in a variety
or family.of places and wear many hats, their range of
Home Health Assistance: Assist patients who atinfluence is wide. How you help will obviously
their homes. Similar to nursing assistants or homedepend on where you choose to specialize. Those
health aides. May perform therapy or rehabilitationin medical assistance may work in hospitals,
services as well as daily living assistance.nursing homes, or community clinics. Interested in
Elder and Geriatric Assistance: May work in ainsurance assistance? You will could work for an
patient’s home, assisted-living or nursing homeinsurance company or non-profit organization.
facilities. Similar to home health assistance, butLawyers who give legal assistance may have their
focused on the elderly.own practices or work pro-bono. In many of
Legal Assistance: Assists patients with legalthese fields, you could work for government
troubles. May help file malpractice claims,agency.
worker’s compensation, or disability. MustOf course, you can be a patient advocate while
have prior legal experience. Licensed attorneykeeping the job you currently have and
preferred.volunteering your time. Because there is never a
What Makes a Good Patient Advocate?shortage of patients, there will always be a need
Requirements for patient advocates will dependfor patient advocates.
on the area you place to work in. Here’s aSteps to Becoming a Patient Advocate
short breakdown of the common requirementsThe role of patient advocate is fairly new, and
for each specialty. Please note, these may notthere are only a handful of institutions that offer
apply in every situation, and requirements maycertificates or degrees in patient advocacy.
vary from job to job.Patient advocates typically give themselves the
Medical Assistance:title. However, there are a few schools that offer
• Previous medical experience and knowledgepatient advocacy programs:
such as a job as a doctor, nurse, physician• Cleveland State University
assistant or other healthcare professional.• Sarah Lawrence College
• Desire to stand up for patients’ rights• The University of Wisconsin
• Ability to speak to authority figures like• Stanford University
doctors and insurance companies with theIf you are considering becoming a patient
patient’s best interests in mindadvocate but you don’t want to go back to
• Compassion and empathyschool, you should choose a specialty area and
• Friendly dispositiongain experience. As we said, many patient
• Ability to work with people from a variety ofadvocates are healthcare professionals with
backgroundsadvanced experience in a specific field who go on
• Excellent communication skillsto volunteer their time as an advocate.
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized