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What Do Patient Representative Do?
Job Description: Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.
A Day in the Life of a Patient Representative
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.
- Provide consultation or training to volunteers or staff on topics such as guest relations, patients’ rights, or medical issues.
- Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.
- Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
- Develop and distribute newsletters, brochures, or other printed materials to share information with patients or medical staff.
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What Every Patient Representative Should Know
When polled, Patient Representatives say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Other Patient Representative Job Titles
- Social Services Director
- Patient Ombudsperson
- Patient Financial Representative
- Clinical Liaison
- Patient Partner
Job Opportunities for Patient Representatives
In the United States, there were 2,784,500 jobs for Patient Representative in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 136,300 new jobs for Patient Representative by 2026. There will be an estimated 373,500 positions for Patient Representative per year.
The states with the most job growth for Patient Representative are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Minnesota, or Massachusetts. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Patient Representative Make?
The average yearly salary of a Patient Representative ranges between $22,140 and $55,310.
Patient Representatives who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Patient Representatives make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,580 |
| Alaska | $39,300 |
| Arizona | $34,570 |
| Arkansas | $32,350 |
| California | $41,850 |
| Colorado | $37,390 |
| Connecticut | $41,160 |
| Delaware | $38,060 |
| District of Columbia | $46,880 |
| Florida | $33,730 |
| Georgia | $35,130 |
| Hawaii | $38,670 |
| Idaho | $32,390 |
| Illinois | $37,840 |
| Indiana | $36,200 |
| Iowa | $37,400 |
| Kansas | $35,330 |
| Kentucky | $32,230 |
| Louisiana | $32,440 |
| Maine | $34,950 |
| Maryland | $37,720 |
| Massachusetts | $43,620 |
| Michigan | $36,650 |
| Minnesota | $39,690 |
| Mississippi | $28,210 |
| Missouri | $35,020 |
| Montana | $34,910 |
| Nebraska | $35,730 |
| Nevada | $33,690 |
| New Hampshire | $38,930 |
| New Jersey | $40,330 |
| New Mexico | $31,380 |
| New York | $40,830 |
| North Carolina | $34,690 |
| North Dakota | $37,910 |
| Ohio | $35,980 |
| Oklahoma | $32,790 |
| Oregon | $37,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,000 |
| Rhode Island | $38,970 |
| South Carolina | $32,320 |
| South Dakota | $31,150 |
| Tennessee | $34,420 |
| Texas | $33,770 |
| Utah | $33,790 |
| Vermont | $37,760 |
| Virginia | $35,030 |
| Washington | $40,820 |
| West Virginia | $31,730 |
| Wisconsin | $37,850 |
| Wyoming | $36,400 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Patient Representatives
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Patient Representatives may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Google Docs
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Epic Systems
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
How do I Become a Patient Representative?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Patient Representative?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Patient Representatives?
The table below shows the approximate number of Patient Representatives employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Patient Representative might also be interested in the following careers:
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Career changers with experience as a Patient Representative sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.