Getting Started as a Health or Patient Advocate or Care Manager

If you have interest in becoming a private, professional, independent patient or health advocate or care manager, there are many resources to help you.

starting line

Here we provide information about taking courses, earning a certificate, joining a patient or health advocacy organization, researching, or participating in web-based conversations. See below to link to the latest information about patient advocacy certification.

Making the Decision: Is a Patient or Health Advocacy Career the Right Choice for You?

When Your Decision Is Made: Find a master list of resources for starting your own private practice here.

Sign up for updates and notices about advocacy as a profession here.


Overview

A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Your Advocacy Practice is available as a free download with an APHA membership. Learn more.


Health and Patient Advocate Educational Programs

HealthAdvocatePrograms.com

…provides a master list of all learning opportunities for patient and health advocates and navigators, those who are exploring the concept, or considering advocacy as a career.

Included are overviews and student or member reviews of these private advocacy organizations.

Programs listed include: private advocacy programs, hospital patient advocate and navigator programs, specialized programs, workshops and events, and professional membership organizations.

Mentors – people with experience establishing and growing private advocacy practices, and are willing to teach others to do the same, are available through a membership in The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates.


Books

The Health Advocacy Career Series

Plus, to learn about the healthcare system, and ways advocates can assist the patients they work with:


Online Articles and Forums


Patient Advocate Certification:


Health Advocate Code of Conduct and Professional Standards:

Subscribe to this code whether or not you are already working as a patient or health advocate.


 
If you would like to be alerted when new resources are added, please sign up here.
APHA Blog : The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
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