All About Patient Representatives

Patient Representative Example Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.

What Do Patient Representatives Do On a Daily Basis?

• Develop and distribute newsletters, brochures, or other printed materials to share information with patients or medical staff.
• Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
• 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.
• Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
• Provide consultation or training to volunteers or staff on topics such as guest relations, patients’ rights, or medical issues.

Qualities of a Patient Representative

Below is a list of the skills most Patient Representatives say are important on the job.

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.

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Admitting Representative
• Patient Representative
• Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC)
• Patient Advocate
• Patient Financial Representative

Is There Job Demand for Patient Representatives?

There were about 2,784,500 jobs for Patient Representative in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 373,500 job openings in this field each 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.

Do Patient Representatives Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Patient Representatives is somewhere between $22,140 and $55,310.

Patient Representatives who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Patient Representatives in different U.S. states.

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

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Patient Representatives:

• 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?

Are there Patient Representatives education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Patient Representative?

Patient Representatives Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Patient Representative may also be interested in:

• 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:

• Healthcare Social Workers
• Clinical Research Coordinators
• Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Jace Armstrong via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.