Patient Representatives

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2099
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
• Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.
• Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.
• Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.
• Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
• Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
• Develop and distribute newsletters, brochures, or other printed materials to share information with patients or medical staff.
• Provide consultation or training to volunteers or staff on topics, such as guest relations, patients' rights, or medical issues.
• Analyze patients' abilities to pay to determine charges on a sliding scale.
• Identify and share research, recommendations, or other information regarding legal liabilities, risk management, or quality of care.
• Collect and report data on topics, such as patient encounters or inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, Google Docs, Henry Schein Dentrix, MEDITECH software, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
• Medical Records Specialists
• Community Health Workers
• Health Informatics Specialists
• Social and Human Service Assistants
• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Health Education Specialists
• Nursing Assistants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Patient Representatives — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.