Patient Representatives

Career Overview

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

Also Known As

• Case Manager
• Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC)
• Patient Advocate
• Patient Service Representative

Alternate Job Titles

• Access Representative
• Admissions Coordinator
• Admitting Clerk
• Admitting Representative
• Care Navigator
• Case Manager
• Clinical Liaison
• Healthcare Registrar
• Intake Specialist
• Medicaid Service Coordinator (MSC)
• Patient Access Coordinator
• Patient Access Representative
• Patient Access Specialist
• Patient Account Representative
• Patient Advocate

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• 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.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Administrative
• Psychology

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Active Listening
2. Social Perceptiveness
3. Service Orientation
4. Reading Comprehension
5. Speaking
6. Coordination
7. Critical Thinking
8. Persuasion

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Empathy
• Dependability
• Cooperation
• Social Orientation
• Sincerity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Achievement
• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

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

Tools & Equipment

• Computer data input scanners
• Computer laser printers
• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Laser facsimile machines
• Laser printers
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Photocopying equipment

Work Environment

• Contact With Others
• Telephone Conversations
• E-Mail
• Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Salary & Job Market

Wages reported for the broader Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Patient Representatives.

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$37,290
Median	$48,790
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$81,290

Workers Employed Nationally: 174,060

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.