Job Description of a Patient Advocate

Being ill or injured can be an overwhelming experience. Questions race through your mind. You may wonder how you are going to pay for it, whether or not you'll need surgery, and how long you'll be in the hospital. Many people have never had to deal with their health insurance provider or doctors before. This is why a patient advocate is so important. A patient advocate helps answer these questions and solve these problems. But it is precisely because of this great responsibility that you have to possess very particular skills if you want the job. While no specific experience is required, if you want a job that pays an average of $63,000, you will need certain qualities.

Function

A patient advocate essentially serves as the patient's liaison with the patient's medical team and health-insurance provider. While the advocate is not legally allowed to provide medical advice, the advocate can relay messages from medical staff to the patient and family. The advocate also communicates any questions, fears or other problems that the patient and the patient's family have. As such, the mental and emotional well-being of a patient is very much one of the advocate's most significant responsibilities.

Listening

This is arguably the most important part of the job description. You have to listen to patients who, due to illness or injury, may be unable to clearly or effectively communicate. Sometimes a patient can only talk in short bursts before needing to rest. Other times a patient will be incoherent. The ability to listen and understand the patient is necessary to effectively communicate her wishes to doctors, nursing staff and family.

Availability

You'll likely work some long and odd hours. Essentially, you'll have to be on call. If anything comes up and you're needed, you'll have to get to the patient or health provider in a timely manner. You'll likely be given a pager. Even if no pages come in, it may be expected that you come in to spend time with patients who have no friends or family.

HIPPA Training

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the HIPPA Privacy Rule is enforced by the Office of Civil Rights. HIPPA outlines a series of laws and rules that protect a patient's privacy and keeps sensitive and potentially embarrassing information safe and secure. As a patient advocate, you will have to abide by these laws. Examples of protected information include the patient's medical and sexual history and payment options and methods. If you break these rules, you could, in addition to losing your job, be fined as much as $50,000.

Patience

This can be an emotionally and psychologically taxing job, frustrating and heart-breaking. Your patient can and likely will become angry and could very well take it out on you. Doctors and nurses might get tired of a patient's constant questions and take that annoyance out on you as well. You must never lose your temper, especially with the patient, who is likely already in a vulnerable state. Be patient. Be kind. Do your best to treat everyone with respect, even when they aren't paying you the same courtesy.

References

• UCSD Advocate Job Description
• Health and Human Services

Resources

• National Patient Advocate Foundation

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