Patient Representatives

• Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.
• Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.
• Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.
• Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
• Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
• Provide consultation or training to volunteers or staff on topics such as guest relations, patients' rights, and medical issues.
• Collect and report data on topics such as patient encounters and inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
• Identify and share research, recommendations, or other information regarding legal liabilities, risk management, or quality of care.
• Develop and distribute newsletters, brochures, or other printed materials to share information with patients or medical staff.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Patient Representatives.

• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Patient Representatives.