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Patient Representative

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Life As a Patient Representative

Job Description & Duties Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.

Life As a Patient Representative: What Do They Do?

  • Teach patients to use home health care equipment.
  • Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
  • Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
  • Collect and report data on topics such as patient encounters or inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
  • Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Patient Representative?

Patient Representatives state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Types of Patient Representative Jobs

  • Admitting Representative
  • Intake Specialist
  • Patient Services Specialist
  • Patient Registrar
  • Admissions Coordinator

Patient Representative Job Outlook

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. The BLS estimates 373,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Patient Representative

The salary for Patient Representatives ranges between about $22,140 and $55,310 a year.

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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

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?

What education is needed to be a Patient Representative?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Patient Representatives Sector

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Below are examples of industries where Patient Representatives work:

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those thinking about becoming a Patient Representative might also be interested in the following careers:

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.

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