Health Advocates

Employers

In addition to nonprofit organizations, private firms that specialize in patient advocacy have begun to spring up around the country. Some hospitals, specialty practices, and managed-care organizations now hire patient representatives to deal with patients' complaints, and corporations supporting large health care plans for their employees have begun to do the same. Advocates working on more widespread issues in the health care industry often find employment at governmental agencies, community organizations, and schools developing health advocacy courses or programs.

Job descriptions for advocates may also vary significantly, depending on place of employment. Patient representatives who are employed by hospitals, doctors' groups, or large corporations still work for improved health care for patients, but they must also balance their employers' interests with those of patients. For that reason, advocates at work on the insurance or treatment side of the industry may find that their jobs resemble more typical customer service positions designed to receive and resolve consumer complaints. Advocates employed by nonprofits don't have the same responsibility to consider the financial needs of the doctors and insurance companies, which allows them more freedom.

Starting Out

Contact your college career services office for help in finding your first job. Some hospitals advertise job openings for health advocates in the classified section of the newspaper or at their Web sites. You may have to start out in another position in a hospital, and move into health advocacy once you've gained some experience.