Patient Advocate Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Patient Advocate, or Health Advocate is a professional who serves as an intermediary between patients and their family members and representatives of the healthcare industry. Their primary duties include helping patients secure health care, ensuring they complete paperwork accurately and assisting with treatment plans decisions. 

 

Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Patient Advocate duties and responsibilities

Patient Advocates are essential for effective collaboration between patients, their families, healthcare professionals and other parties. Their main tasks include:

  • Challenging decisions about treatment plans, if patients and their families want more options
  • Working with patients to get quality healthcare from the NHS and private sector medical facilities
  • Interviewing patients and identifying problems regarding care
  • Making referrals to patients for healthcare services or helping patients choose Physicians
  • Accompanying patients to appointments or visiting them during hospital stays
  • Helping patients understand the care and support process and standing up for their rights

 

Build a Job Description
Are you a Job Seeker? Find Jobs

Patient Advocate Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Do you want to work for a family run, national provider of Health and Well-being Services to the NHS? Do you want to be part of our flock? OnePrimaryCare, part of OneMedicalGroup, deliver a number of patient centred Primary Care services across the Leeds region, including Wetherby Surgery, Shakespeare Medical Practice, Westgate Surgery and The Light Surgery. At OnePrimaryCare we also take care of all our employees and put their Health and Wellbeing first. If you want to work for an organisation that cares about you, then look no further. This is an opportunity to really make a difference by working within a caring compassionate team who truly puts the patients at the forefront of everything they do. We are looking for a forward thinking Patient Navigator to facilitate and deliver a patient centric experience, supporting all other functions in delivering outstanding patient care, utilising a variety of platforms including front of house (reception), back office support functions and telephone services. Utilising your patient navigation training (provided in house), you will form part of our front of house team to provide patient focused telephone and administration services that assist and direct patients in accessing the appropriate service or healthcare professionals. You will have exceptional communication skills, experience of using IT systems and work well under pressure. Working as part of a team who really care about putting our patients first will be a huge motivator for you. Besides the salary they can also enjoy our benefits package (min. 25 leave days + BHs; NHS pension, NHS discounts; a day off for you annual anniversary; enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay; cycle to work scheme; training courses & webinars, etc.) The job holder will have to: greet patients and visitors, advising them of their appointments and checking them in advise patients on self-check in facilities receive and make calls as required with the ability to handle heavy phone/patient traffic divert calls and take messages as appropriate sort, review and distribute incoming internal mail process outgoing mail following the procedure pull, file and photocopy patient’s paper records scan and attach patients’ data to patients’ electronic records ensure the reception area is left tidy and ready for use by other colleagues, together with any hand-over information receiving all incoming deliveries, opening and distributing accordingly complete the Surgery Administration, including registrations and deductions Therefore, the successful candidate must: have GP practice experience desirably have prior experience as patient navigator be confident using the phone have a good level of IT skills be friendly and welcoming; patient and understanding be able to follow instructions and procedures have good organisation and communication skills work accurately and methodically be able to work with all types of people You can apply now or contact our Recruitment Team at for more information.

Example 2

Detailed job description and main responsibilities This post is only open to current employees of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and current employees of the Bay Health and Care Partners as below: Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group GP Providers Alliance Lancashire County Council Cumbria County Council Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust North West Ambulance Service If you are a current employee of any of the above organisations please mark your application as Internal To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website [website] Person specification Education & Qualifications Essential criteria Good standard of general education including GCSE Maths and English or equivalent ECDL or recognised experience Evidence of ongoing personal development Experience Essential criteria Experience of undertaking a range of administrative duties Desirable criteria Previous NHS experience. Experience of using a Patient Database The Behavioural Standards Framework Everybody’s responsibility in everything we do ** Please Note: all interviews will be undertaken virtually via Microsoft Team Meetings this is to ensure we all stay safe and are COVID secure Visit our Inclusion and Diversity page : [website] Stay up to date with the latest news: Main Trust website -: [website] Trust recruitment website -: [website] Like us on Facebook –: Follow us on Twitter -: @UHMBT Please NOTE THAT Shortlisted Applicants WILL BE Contacted BY EMAIL. The Trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be Effortlessly Inclusive . The trust operates a No Smoking Policy. Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview. We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received. The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, (formally CRB) a charge of £40 for Enhanced and £23 for Standard clearance for will be made to the successful candidate(s). Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 6 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

Example 3

Detailed job description and main responsibilities To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website [website] Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria NVQ / EDCL Desirable criteria Shorthand Experience Essential criteria Significant secretarial experience Experience of overseeing a small team Experience of using MS Office Systems Experience of work processing and associated packages Knowledge and use of medical terminology Word processing and audio typing skills Desirable criteria Previous medical secretary experience Experience of data bases and spreadsheets Digital dictation experience Experience with Access plans/waiting lists Skills Essential criteria Knowledge of data protection and confidentiality Excellent communciation skills and use of language Currently Managing and creating access plans Desirable criteria Awareness of quality systems and Health and Safety standards Knowledge of performance targets, choose and book etc Qualities Essential criteria Team player The Behavioural Standards Framework Everybody’s responsibility in everything we do ** Please Note: all interviews will be undertaken virtually via Microsoft Team Meetings this is to ensure we all stay safe and are COVID secure Visit our Inclusion and Diversity page : [website] Stay up to date with the latest news: Main Trust website -: [website] Trust recruitment website -: [website] Like us on Facebook –: Follow us on Twitter -: @UHMBT Please NOTE THAT Shortlisted Applicants WILL BE Contacted BY EMAIL. The Trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be Effortlessly Inclusive . The trust operates a No Smoking Policy. Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview. We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received. The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, (formally CRB) a charge of £40 for Enhanced and £23 for Standard clearance for will be made to the successful candidate(s). Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 6 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

What does a Patient Advocate do?

Patient Advocates help individuals navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Their duties include helping patients with administrative tasks such as setting up GP appointments, working with social services and ensuring their medical records are up to date.  They also review prescriptions and medications, help patients understand difficult diagnoses and treatment options and help them make difficult medical decisions. 

 

Patient Advocate skills and qualifications 

A successful Patient Advocate candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These include:

  • Excellent administrative and organisational skills 
  • In-depth understanding of the complexities of the healthcare industry
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
  • Customer service skills 
  • Attention to detail 
  • Active listening skills
  • Compassion and empathy
  • Time management skills

 

Patient Advocate experience requirements 

Patient Advocates should have several years of experience working with the healthcare system’s protocols and procedures. Many employers prefer candidates who have worked as a Care Manager, Nurse or Physician. Some employers prefer candidates who have experience working in social services. The ideal candidate must also have experience in healthcare liabilities and other complex issues patients usually come across while seeking quality healthcare. Some employers require candidates to have experience working as a volunteer in a non-profit organisation. 

 

Patient Advocate education and training requirements

The only education required for a Patient Advocate role is a GCSE. However, because this position requires an in-depth understanding of the healthcare industry and the ability to explain treatments and diagnoses, many employers prefer candidates who have a background in the medical industry. A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, such as medical assisting, medical record administration, healthcare or nursing, would help. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, some employers prefer candidates to complete a training programme and obtain industry-recognised certifications. 

 

Patient Advocate salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Patient Advocate in the UK is  £17.05 per hour. Their actual salary varies depending on factors, including the employer, geographical location, experience, particular job duties and qualifications. 

 

Job description samples for related positions 

If a Patient Advocate is not quite what you’re looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

 

Ready to Hire? Build a Job Description

Patient Advocate job description sample FAQs

 

How can you make your Patient Advocate job description stand out?

To make your Patient Advocate job description stand out, include all the details candidates need to apply for the role. Highlight the specific skills, experiences and professional accomplishments candidates must have to qualify. It’s also vital to mention the day-to-day duties of the Patient Advocate in your organisation. If the position requires specialist knowledge in an area such as NHS policies or professional misconduct cases, mention it in the job description. Also, describe your company’s work environment, goals, mission and culture. You can also highlight employment benefits and perks. 

 

What makes a good Patient Advocate job description?

A good Patient Advocate job description starts with a headline that includes the exact job title, this  will avoid confusing applicants. It’s also brief, uses simple language that is conversational in tone and is free from grammatical errors. The personality of your organisation should be apparent in your job description, as this can also help set your company apart from others. A friendly and personal approach often attracts more potential candidates. 

 

What qualities make a good Patient Advocate?

A good Patient Advocate listens more than they talk. Before advocacy begins, a good Patient Advocate spends a fair amount of time listening to their patients. They understand the situation, past history, the patient’s desires for the future, problem areas that the patients encountered and the patient’s immediate needs. 

A good Patient Advocate is a caring person. Sometimes, patients need empathy, compassion and a great deal of emotional support; therefore, the Patient Advocate should have this capacity as well. As patients share their desires and encounter problems, a naturally caring Patient Advocate can make all the difference to their patients’ mental health. 

Job Description Examples

A-C D-H I-L M-P Q-S T-Z
No search results found

    *Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your career or legal advisor, and none of the information provided herein guarantees a job offer.