How to Become a Patient Advocate or Navigator

A patient advocate or navigator is a valuable career choice for people with strong communication and critical thinking skills who know how to solve problems. The job involves helping people communicate with their providers so they get the information they need to make healthcare choices.

Patient advocates can also help set up appointments, coordinate providers, and obtain financial, legal, and social aid. Many patient advocates specialize in disciplines like inpatient care, cancer care, elder care, home health care, hospice care, and insurance assistance. They may interact one-on-one with a patient or work with families or caregivers as well.

This article describes what it takes to pursue a career as a patient advocate or navigator, as well as the businesses and organizations actively hiring qualified individuals.

1

What Makes a Good Patient Advocate?

Woman holding hands of patient in wheelchair
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The titles "patient advocate" and "patient navigator" are used interchangeably, though some regard an advocate as a person who intervenes and a navigator as someone who guides. Both are qualities that make an ideal candidate irrespective of the title.

Qualities of a great patient advocate include:

  • Compassion and empathy
  • Persistent and focus
  • Patience
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Critical thinking with strong problem-solving skills
  • Being organized and deadline-oriented
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Financial skills
  • Ability to build relationships with different types of people, including clients and healthcare providers 

In addition, the best patient advocates are politely assertive and able to provide and command respect from others involved in the patient's care.

2

What Does a Patient Advocate Do?

a senior couple and a patient advocate
Getty Images - Elyse Lewin

While there are many different disciplines that a patient advocate can specialize in, the core responsibilities largely remain the same.

These include:

  • "Keeping on top of things" when a patient is too ill or distracted to do so themselves
  • Getting answers to questions that the patient isn't getting or doesn't understand
  • Raising questions that the patient may be unwilling to ask or hasn't thought of
  • Communicating with medical professionals to ensure that care is being delivered on schedule and as agreed
  • Helping coordinate care and keeping records of providers, prescriptions, and services
  • Referring patients to providers to support their needs, including social workers, mental health counselors, copay/drug assistance programs, financial aid, etc.
  • Help with medical billing problems, including insurance reimbursements

Patient advocates ultimately prevent people from getting lost in the system. When done properly, patient advocates can optimize a patient's care and even avoid mishaps and medical errors.

3

What Credentials Are Needed to Become a Patient Advocate?

Focused student studying at computer
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Being a patient advocate in the past is somewhat different from what it is today. Traditionally, they came from within the system and made use of their understanding of the healthcare system to benefit patients. Many were nurses, hospital administrators, or social workers who gained on-the-job training.

Today, many people entering the job market are pursuing patient advocacy as a career. While there are no formal education requirements to become an advocate, there are certain minimal qualifications most employers ask for:

  • Minimum high school degree or some college education
  • Computer literacy
  • Cultural competency (which may include bilingual language skills)

Depending on the discipline you want to focus on, you may need additional training to gain proficiency. This may include an associate's or bachelor's degree in a health-related field to help you understand medical diagnoses and treatments.

Others seeking a career in patient advocacy will earn a degree in medical assisting, social work, insurance management, or medical records administration.

While certification is usually not required, it may benefit you to seek certification from the Patient Advocate Certification Board (established in 2018) to increase your credibility and give yourself a competitive edge.

4

Who Needs a Patient Advocate?

Couple consulting doctor

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Patient advocacy is a relatively new career opportunity but one that is becoming increasingly important to both businesses and individuals. Today, patient advocates and navigators have the opportunity to work in many different settings.

Tertiary Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, cancer treatment centers, and other healthcare facilities hire and need patient advocates. They function as in-house support systems for patients admitted for care and treatment.

Patient advocates are especially important for people receiving tertiary care. This is a level of healthcare that is more extensive than primary (general) or secondary (specialist) care as it involves complex and often serious medical conditions, such as cancer or dementia. The goal is to manage chronic illness while maintaining the best possible level of functioning.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

Managed healthcare payer systems frequently employ advocates. Chief among these are health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that pay providers a fixed annual fee to treat and manage their pool of insurance policyholders.

Patient advocates, typically called "case managers," are assigned a group of patients to manage and respond to when needed.

Though patient advocates save HMOs money by avoiding costly medical errors, their primary task is to help policyholders optimize their care by getting recommended screenings and utilizing the appropriate in-network providers.

Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs)

Patient advocates who work with charitable non-profit organizations (NPOs) often work in community-based centers (like LGBT health centers) or with reproductive health organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Although their function is client-based, patient advocates may also be involved in political advocacy and awareness programs.

Governmental Organizations

Patient advocates who work in governmental health systems often provide support to patients who rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state systems that pay for their healthcare. Their roles are non-unlike that of patient advocates at HMOs.

Private Consultancy

More and more patient advocates are starting their own businesses, offering individuals with complex medical needs a higher level of service for a fee. Others work as on-call consultants with commercial home health providers and non-profit patient advocacy groups.

Some private consultants focus on specific issues, such as insurance. Others are hired by family members who work full-time or live too far away to provide adequate support.

Summary

Patient advocates and navigators help people find their way through the healthcare system so that they receive optimal care and get all the information they need to make informed choices. While many advocates are employed by hospitals, insurers, and businesses, some are self-employed and work as consultants.

People wanting to pursue a career as a patient advocate need a minimum high school degree and possibly more if the job requires an understanding of medical diagnoses and treatments.

5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. National Cancer Institute. Patient navigator.

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Job template: patient navigator.

  3. The Joint Commission. Use an advocate or be an advocate for others.

  4. National Association of Healthcare Advocacy. NAHAC standards and best practices.

  5. Alliance of Professional Health Advocates. An overview of the profession of patient advocacy.

By Trisha Torrey
 Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system.