Get DCH-3916 - Patient Advocate Designation-Final Rev 6-15. Accessible PDF

A patient advocate helps patients communicate with their healthcare providers so they get the information they need to make decisions about their health care. Patient advocates may also help patients set up appointments for doctor visits and medical tests and get financial, legal, and social support.

Critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, and active learning skills are necessary to ensure advocates can choose the best solutions to medical care problems.

In Michigan, you can designate someone to be your “patient advocate” in the event that you lose the mental capacity to make healthcare decisions for yourself. You can designate any adult over the age of 18, but it is important to choose this person wisely.

Required skills Written and verbal communication skills are two of the most important qualifiers for the job. A big part of the patient advocate's job involves explaining everything from medical terms to billing and insurance to patients in ways that are easy to understand.

There are some requirements that must be met to validly designate a patient advocate. You must be of sound mind when you choose your patient advocate. You must have two witnesses sign, and the person you choose to be your patient advocate must also sign to accept the responsibility.

How to become a patient advocate Pursue an education. Search for open positions for patient advocates in your area and determine the level of education required for the role. ... Obtain your certification. Consider becoming a board-certified patient advocate. ... Obtain relevant experience. ... Update your resume. ... Apply for a job.

You can choose a person to make these decisions for you by signing a legal document called a "patient advocate designation." This legal document gives the person you choose (the patient advocate) authority to make decisions for your care, custody, and medical treatment when you cannot.