Are you looking for a career path that allows you to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you have a heart to serve and a passion for helping others? If you answered yes to these questions, becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate might be the perfect fit for you. Here at Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, we are offering info sessions for those who are interested in exploring this fulfilling profession. Join us to learn more about how you can positively impact patients and their families.
Helping others is one of the most rewarding pursuits one can have. If you’re someone who derives joy from being there for others in their moments of need, then becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate might just be your calling. It takes a unique set of skills to become a patient advocate and support those undergoing difficult times, and if you’re cut out for it, you’ll find tremendous fulfillment in being able to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
- What is an Independent Patient or Health Advocate?
An Independent Patient or Health Advocate serves as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers. Advocates work to ensure that patients are getting the best possible care and treatment, as well as helping them to navigate the complex healthcare system. Advocates offer support, education, and resources to patients and their families during medical crises. Advocates have a variety of roles, such as helping patients make informed choices, managing medical bills and insurance claims, and attending medical appointments to help facilitate better communication between patients and providers. Or putting plans in place to meet healthcare goals and decision making.
You do not have to have any type of degree in a healthcare related field. It helps to have a working knowledge of the healthcare system to be an effective health advocate depending on the niche or type of advocate you have the skill set for. We have seen lay people, pharmacists, nurses, social workers, billing and coding experts, those with healthcare administration background, and many more.
Advocacy work requires a passionate and empathetic approach, as well as a deep understanding of healthcare and patient needs. Advocates must be able to communicate with various entities such as healthcare providers, insurance companies, government agencies, and others. If you have a passion for helping others during difficult times, becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate may be the perfect choice for you.
A patient advocate is a professional who works with patients and their families to help them navigate through their healthcare experiences. Health care can sometimes be complex and overwhelming, especially for those who may be dealing with chronic illnesses, complex medical procedures or disabilities. Patient advocates are there to lend a helping hand, providing guidance, support and resources to those in need. Patient advocates can work with patients in a variety of settings, including in a hospital, clinic or as an independent consultant. As a patient advocate, you’ll work to ensure that your clients receive the best possible care, while also addressing any financial or logistical issues that may arise.
Being independent means, you work solely for the individual or family you are hired to serve. Many of us prefer this independent approach as we have no other alliance except to our clients. It removes any and all barriers to serve them to the best of our ability. The downside to being independent is that most of our work is private pay. Some long-term care insurance has covered our services, but the majority is private pay for our services. You may charge by the hour, or possibly the “task” asked to assist with and many more options depending on how you choose to serve.
2. Why Become an Independent Patient or Health Advocate?
Patient or health advocates usually have a story or an experience that tugged at them to either help others or prevent others from having to go through the same things as we did.
Our story is no different. An elderly woman from church asked me to stop by one Sunday afternoon. When we got there the first thing she said was “You might be wondering why we haven’t been at church lately.” We were curious about that but didn’t want to pry. Julie went on to say that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and she was having trouble with her memory. She and her husband stopped going to church because she was afraid she would not remember the names of her friends she had known for many years and that would be too embarrassing for her. As an R.N. I had helped this family in the past when her mother-in-law came to live with them and needed 24-hour supervision. Julie was hoping I could help her now. I was still working as an R.N. at the hospital when she approached me.
We sat down with the family. This couple had become guardians to their 2 grandchildren who now were both in their early 20s now. They had 2 adult sons living about 4 hours away. Julie’s husband asked for one favor. “Please help me keep her at home. I don’t want her to go to a nursing home.”
My experience told me this was not going to be an easy task. We accepted the challenge. How could I say “no?” Her Alzheimer’s progressed very rapidly. Our challenges included behavior outbursts, flight risk, ingesting unsafe things, and the hardest part for her husband was that one minute she was affectionate and recognized him as her husband and the next minute he was a stranger in her home trying to kill her and warned everyone to stay away from him. It broke his heart.
He ended up passing before Julie to everyone’s surprise. I just think the situation was more than he could bear. We kept our promise until after her husband passed away. Julie spent her final few months in a nursing home with hospice care.
The countless number of resources we had to put in place was daunting. We rallied friends, neighbors and church family to assist along the way. Safety alarms, locks, removing all unsafe items or locking them up. 24/7 caregivers were hired and in the home. We used both private and agency staff to fill all the gaps.
My heart went out to this family and our passion for patient advocacy was born.
As an Independent Patient or Health Advocate, you’ll have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of others. Many patients and their families face confusing and overwhelming situations during medical crises, and advocates can help alleviate some of that stress. Advocates not only provide emotional support to their clients but also help them make informed decisions about their healthcare. Advocates often work with providers and insurance companies to ensure that their clients are receiving the best possible care at the lowest possible cost. Advocates also help with financial planning and budgeting to ensure that clients can get the care they need.
If you’re looking for a career with high job satisfaction, becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate is a great option. You’ll be there for people when they need it most and help them navigate a confusing and overwhelming healthcare system. You’ll have a chance to make a real impact on the world, one patient at a time.
To make an impact as a patient advocate, empathy is a crucial trait to possess. As a healthcare advocate, you will be working with individuals and families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. You must understand where they’re coming from and be able to verbalize their concerns to healthcare providers while presenting sensible and compassionate solutions.
Furthermore, patient advocates must be patient, adaptable, and flexible in their approach. Every individual’s healthcare journey differs, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Advocates are often required to develop tailored solutions to the unique needs of each client.
Advocacy also requires tenacity and persistence to stand up for the individuals you represent during times of potential adversity, and to make sure their voices are heard. The role of an advocate is not always easy, but it’s certainly very fulfilling.
Becoming a patient advocate can be incredibly rewarding. Not only will you be helping those in need, but you’ll also have the opportunity to form close relationships with your clients. As a patient advocate, you’ll be working with patients and their families during some of their most challenging moments. Being able to ease their worries and help them navigate through complex medical situations can provide you with a feeling of fulfillment that is unmatched. Additionally, working as a patient advocate can be a flexible career path, allowing you to set your own hours and work independently.
3. The Importance of Patient Advocacy
Patient advocacy is incredibly important work. Unfortunately, research has shown that patients often receive inadequate or subpar care. This is especially true for individuals who may be dealing with language barriers or who may not have access to adequate resources. As a patient advocate, you’ll work to ensure that these individuals receive the best possible care available to them. By advocating for your clients, you’ll work to ensure that their voices are heard, and that they are able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. We are guides in a healthcare system compiled of muddy waters.
4. How to Become an Independent Patient or Health Advocate?
If you’re interested in becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate, there are many paths available. Some advocates come from healthcare backgrounds, such as nursing or social work, while others have experience in advocacy or counseling. There are also training courses and certifications available for those who want to pursue this career path. At Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, we offer info sessions to help you explore this career path.
As an Independent Patient or Health Advocate, continuous learning is necessary to stay up to date on new developments in healthcare and advocacy. Joining professional organizations or attending industry conferences can be a great way to stay informed and connected with peers in the field.
Independent Patient or Health Advocates do not require formal certification or licensing; however, it is highly recommended to pursue professional training to develop communication and advocacy skills. Formal education in healthcare or a related field will also provide an additional foundation for the advocate to build upon and become a more credible source of information. We advocate becoming board-certified in patient advocacy which helps to give you the credibility as a professional advocate.
If you’re interested in becoming a patient advocate, there are several steps you can take to get started. Attending an info session, like the ones offered by Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, can help you learn more about the profession and what it means to be a patient advocate.
We offer a “exam prep” workshop for those considering taking the exam. We are proud to say we have a 100% pass rate at this time for those that took the test following our prep workshop. Please let us know if you would like to attend any of our informational sessions. They are: 1/17/24, 1/18/24, 1/20/24, 1/24/24, 1/25/24, and 1/27/24. Our 7 Pillars to Pass workshop is scheduled for Saturday February 3, 2024. To get on the list for registration please send us an email at [email protected]. We will share the upcoming registration details soon.
Additionally, there are a variety of other training programs available that can help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field. Some additional skills that may be helpful to have include strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. We will list some of those in the resource section of this post.
Conclusion:
Becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate is a fulfilling and rewarding career path for those who have a passion for helping others. Advocates have the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of patients and their families, providing emotional support, education, and resources during difficult times. There are many paths available to become an advocate, and Your Nurse Advocate Consulting is here to help you on your journey. Attending one of our info sessions is the first step towards exploring this rewarding career. Let us help you make the world a better place, one patient at a time. Consider one of our info sessions “7 Pillars to Pass” as part of our Patient Advocacy Incubator Program.
If you have a heart of service and a passion for making a difference in people’s lives, becoming an Independent Patient or Health Advocate might be a perfect fit for you. With proper training and a willingness to listen and learn, you can profoundly impact someone’s life by providing much-needed support during their healthcare journey.
Attending our upcoming info sessions can help you determine if this career path is the right choice for you. Let Your Nurse Advocate Consulting be the bridge that connects you with this incredibly fulfilling career. Together, we can make the world a better place, one patient at a time.
Thanks for stopping by and considering a career in patient advocacy. We need you. There are more people that need to be served!
Take care and we will see you back here soon.
“Always do what you can to make a difference in the lives of others”
Pam and Linda
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“Compassionate care for aging adults, peace of mind for the adult children.”
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