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Medical & WelfareGrowingBright Outlook

Patient Representative

Operational-level

Also known as: Access Representative, Admissions Coordinator, Admitting Clerk, Admitting Representative

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Patient Representative, you help people understand their healthcare options, policies, and how to get the services they need. You'll spend your days in an office setting, mostly indoors, using phones and computers to communicate with patients and other staff. You'll engage in face-to-face discussions and handle emails. This role suits you if you're a clear communicator, enjoy active listening, and like solving problems to support others in navigating the healthcare system.
Patient AdvocacyHealthcare NavigationMedical AdministrationHealth PolicyHealthcareSocial WorkCommunicationPatient CareMedical Careers

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the patient services office in St. Jude Medical Center, located in a bustling district of Charlotte. The fluorescent lights hum to life as you log into your desktop computer. Your screen fills with the familiar interfaces of Epic, the hospital's Electronic Health Record system, Microsoft Outlook, and the internal communication platform. You grab your coffee mug, taking a moment to review your calendar, noting several scheduled phone consultations and an afternoon in-person appointment. The quiet hum of computers signals the official start of your day, a mix of anticipation and routine.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

In-demand software
Epic SystemsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Outlook

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+5.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

12,400

per year (US)

Jobs today

185,600

in 2025 → 196,400 (2035)

Typical entry education

Postsecondary nondegree award

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
High
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career is projected to experience rapid growth, with approximately 12,400 job openings available each year through 2035. The median annual wage for Patient Representatives is about $50,290. With experience and further training, you could advance to roles such as a Patient Advocate or a Healthcare Navigator.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Medical Secretary
  • Healthcare Administrative Assistant
  • Healthcare Call Center Representative

Where it can lead

  • Patient Advocate
  • Healthcare Navigator
  • Medical Office Manager

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly automate routine tasks like scheduling and answering common patient inquiries, significantly boosting efficiency for Patient Representatives. This will enable representatives to focus more on complex case management, empathetic support, and personalized advocacy, evolving the role to emphasize critical human interaction.