Healthcare Practitioners
Patient Representatives
Also called: Access Representative (Access Rep), Admissions Coordinator, BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate), Case Manager
US median pay
$50,290
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.9%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
12,400
185,600 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health care decisions.
What they do day to day
- Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.
- 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.
- Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field.
- Collect and report data on topics, such as patient encounters or inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate.
- Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution.
- Analyze patients' abilities to pay to determine charges on a sliding scale.
- Identify and share research, recommendations, or other information regarding legal liabilities, risk management, or quality of care.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Service Orientation4.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Persuasion3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Negotiation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Psychology4.0/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.9/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.6/5
- Administrative3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.