Career Center >> Career Groups: Can We Talk? >> On Becoming a Patient Advocate
On Becoming a Patient Advocate
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Posted 3 months ago
Hi All, This is a wonderful site and one I am glad to have discovered.! I have been an administrative assistant for all of my 20+ years...working in various professions. I am excited to learn about or speak with someone who is a Patient Advocate. At this stage in my career & life, I realize this is where I can use my strengths. My question - how do I sell my transferable skills to become a patient advocate, and/or what are additional education I may need? Appreciate any assistance someone can provide.
Lynn North Carolina |
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| Posted 2 months ago I used to be a Patient Advocate. I worked for a private company that works with hospitals and clinics. I did home visits because the hospital social workers could not because of liability issues and case management for indigent patients (basically finding ways on how they can get continuous care without insurance or getting the hospital paid through private/public resources). My background was in Psychology and Public Administration. I had experiences in mental health counseling and Medicare/Medicaid case management. Most of the Patient Advocates I know have advanced degrees in Social Work or Psychology (Masters level) but in Florida, you can be a Public Patient Advocate (Case Manager for the State of Florida) if you have 4 or more years of similar experience. As an administrative assistant, you have a lot of transferrable skills and abilities as a Patient Advocate. Your oral and written communication proficiency will help you a lot. Your problem solving and decision making skills will also be utilized a lot. It is not an easy job, helping others can be psychologically draining and stressful. Hope this helps. |
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| Posted 2 months ago Thank you for your advice. I do have some training in helathcare and will work towards my counseling degree with the idea of becoming a patient advocate.
Everglow :) |