Patient Representatives

Overview

Patient Representatives has a national median salary of $50,290 per year, with +5.9% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
• Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.
• Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.
• Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.
• Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.

Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information
• Getting Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Working with Computers
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Detailed Work Activities

• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a postsecondary certificate.

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