Earn Your Certificate in Patient Advocacy!
A Certificate in Patient Advocacy Will Help You... - Advance your practice
- Improve outcomes
- Validate your expertise
- Drive your business
- Ensure patients have a voice in their care
- Improve patient satisfaction rates in your organization
- Ensure appropriate use of healthcare resources
- Reduce medical risks and costs
- Demonstrate your qualifications, education, and skill level to other practitioners
- Learn new avenues to expand your business
- Hone your business skills
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 Trainer:Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN Editor-in Chief Dorland Health & PPAI |
The Professional Patient Advocate Certificate Training Program is a comprehensive education program aimed at enhancing training for those already in this specialized field or those interested in entering the emerging practice of patient advocacy. Focusing on the concepts of patient advocacy to improve patient education and satisfaction, the program will help independent advocates, healthcare organizations and payers meet the needs of their clients with efficient, effective care.
The Certificate Program is an advanced course that is open to all professionals with a baseline level of healthcare experience.
Additionally, the Certificate Program serves as a point of entry for professionals who want to transition into this new role, providing a course of study that builds on an existing body of knowledge.
The field of Patient Advocacy is emerging due to four predominant trends in the healthcare industry:
- Consumers want assistance in navigating the healthcare system so they can be active participants in their own health.
- The healthcare industry is complex, fragmented and not patient- or family-centered. That makes it difficult for consumers to ensure they’re getting the care they want. Having an advocate empowers patients to understand and demand the plan of care that they need.
- Due to escalating healthcare costs, the risk has shifted from the payer to the employer to the consumer. As a result, consumers are required to pay more of their healthcare costs. This makes them more savvy shoppers who will ensure that they get what they need, when they need it, and in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
- Trust in healthcare has eroded to the point that consumers are looking for trusted professionals for assistance in navigating the complicated healthcare landscape.
To date, there is no universal training program, license or certification that unites the practitioners of patient advocacy. As a result, training and development is needed for professionals currently in the practice and for those interested in entering the field. The Professional Patient Advocate Certificate Program exists to fill this void, providing a platform that explains the role of advocates working with consumers and helping consumers understand how an advocate can assist them in meeting their healthcare needs.
The Goals of the Certificate Training Program are to:
- Provide an advanced course on the emerging role of patient advocacy.
- Provide structure to the practice for professionals who want to add this component to their current healthcare practice.
- Share insights and best practices that advocates can use to assist consumers as they navigate the complex healthcare system.
As part of the training program, professionals gain information and resources that enable them to assist consumers, employers and other stakeholders in understanding the diverse services advocates can provide, either as independent professionals or as part of a larger team.
The Professional Patient Advocate Certificate Program exists so that consumers can benefit from safe, quality, evidence-based care at the right time and in the most appropriate setting.
Upon completion of the training program participants will receive:
- A Certificate as a Professional Patient Advocate
- A Professional Patient Advocate Institute logo for use in your letterhead and other business materials
- A Lapel pin for professional identification
Guiding the Professional Patient Advocate Institute Certificate Training Program is a growing body of advocates who have completed the Certificate Program. They provide input into what advocates will need in terms of ongoing education and professional tools and resources.
Certificate Training Program Curriculum
The Certificate Program, which is open to all healthcare professionals, is now available as an online E-learning program that allows you to access the training materials on demand at a time and location that suits your needs. PPAI will also be hosting live and online training events throughout the year (dates TBA). The Training Program consists of 11 individual sessions that explore the following:
| Session One: | Overview of the Certificate Training Program and the History of Patient Advocacy
This session provides an overview of the Professional Patient Advocate Certificate Program and offers a look into the rich history of patient advocacy. You will be able to use the information to gain an understanding of how the practice of patient advocacy developed and the value that it brings to consumers of health and healthcare. |
| Session Two: | Settings and Roles of Patient Advocates
In this session, you will gain insight into the diverse roles and varied settings of patient advocates. As the practice emerges, patient advocates exist throughout the continuum of care to meet the needs of consumers regardless of their entry point into the healthcare system.
Additional Learning: "The Patient Advocate's Voice: Real Life Stories and Insights". Four patient advocates share how their roles made a difference in the lives of their patients. Take time to read these vignettes and put your learning into action. |
| Session Three: | Trends and Opportunities for Patient Advocacy
Session three takes a deep dive into the trends and opportunities that are available to patient advocates. As the healthcare system transitions to a patient- and family-centered system (where the individual is an active participant in his or her own healthcare), the need for patient advocates will continue to grow as patients and their families need assistance with navigating the complex healthcare system for help with health promotion and chronic disease management.
Additional Learning: "Patient Advocacy Strategies for Managing the Senior Population" provides insights advocates can use when considering working with the senior population and their families. |
| Session Four: | Core Components of Patient Advocacy
This session provides an overview of the core components of patient advocacy. It outlines what consumers, employers and other stakeholders can expect from patient advocates when services are needed.
Additional Learning:The audio podcast "The Pillars of Patient Advocacy” explains the core competencies that encompass the various roles of today’s patient advocate. |
| Session Five: | Patient and Family Support
In this session we shift to the patient’s point of view and review the importance of patient and family support when someone is ill, injured or wants to change behaviors that impact their health. The session reviews the role of advocates in assisting consumers and their families as they transition through the diverse healthcare system.
Additional Learning: "Motivational Interviewing: An Emerging Trend in Medical Management" is a special report that provides an overview of the behavior-enhancing technique known as motivational interviewing, which is proliferating in healthcare settings across the nation. From physician practices and nursing settings to case management, disease management and health coaching settings – any patient-facing discipline – this proven paradigm helps foster better outcomes, largely through effective communication strategies. |
| Session Six: | Reimbursement Systems
Session six reviews reimbursement systems that provide consumers with access to healthcare resources. The session shares insights into the major systems and the unique processes that are specific to each system.
Additional Learning: "Secure Successful Healthcare Reimbursement" is a special report that provides important information for better understanding the current reimbursement systems. It includes information on the history of utilization management and the varied pieces that patient advocates need to understand: benefits; billing and coding systems; a breakdown of the approaching ICD-10 transition; an overview of the diverse players in the healthcare team; and a list of 10 resources that will provide additional education and know-how. |
| Session Seven: | Provider and Payer Options
In this session we look at the wealth of resources the industry provides to patients in order to meet their individual needs. In addition, we review the rules that govern the payer and the provider so advocates have a clear understanding of the rules and regulations associated with ensuring that clients receive the maximum benefit. |
| Session Eight: | Direct Patient Advocacy Services
In this session we look at various models of patient advocacy and how they function within the system to provide services to clients regardless of the setting. |
| Session Nine: | Legal and Risk Management Issues
As patient advocacy involves working with patients, understanding the legal and risk management issues is essential from a personal perspective as well as from consumer perspective. In this session we will review issues that impact advocates and consumers.
Additional Learning: "Sharpen Your Patient Advocate Skills and Successfully Navigate the Healthcare System" shares insights that will assist advocates in navigating the complex healthcare industry safely. |
| Session Ten: | Business Issues for Patient Advocates
Session ten shares insights into the business issues that patient advocates may encounter when they decide to move into independent practice. The session also shares information that all advocates can use to promote their department and educate consumers, employers and others on the important role advocates play in today's complex healthcare system.
Additional Learning: "Marketing Your Patient Advocacy Business" will provide practical tips that you can use as you move into the emerging world of patient advocacy. |
| Session Eleven: | Ethical Issues
Session eleven looks at the ethical issues and challenges facing advocates as the result of escalating costs, decreasing resources and increased consumer demands. The session will provide information advocates can use to inform, educate and empower consumers to have an active role in their health. |
| Monthly Teleconference | Each month, PPAI hosts a teleconference exclusively for students and professionals who have achieved a certificate. You’ll have the opportunity to network and ask questions as we guide you toward opportunities in the area of professional patient advocacy.
Sign up for the Patient Advocate Report |
Post-Test and Program Evaluation:
Following each session, there is a 10 question post-test that allows you to gauge what you learned in each session and share information on additional topics you would like us to cover. As the industry continues to change, continuous learning is essential and advocates will need to stay up to date in order to provide the best service to their clients and patients. Eleven contact hours will be provided for completion of the course for the following disciplines: Nurses, Certified Case Managers, Disability Management Specialists, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Behavioral Health Counselors. Other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis.
Important Information for Qualifying:
The training coursework is taught at an advanced level which requires a basic understanding of the healthcare system and medical management. The Certificate Program is open to all licensed healthcare professionals as well as those who possess a national healthcare certificate in a health or human service discipline that allows professionals to provide an independent assessment according to their scope of practice. Those with a baccalaureate, graduate degree or PhD in social work (or another health or human services field that promotes the physical, psychological and vocational well-being of those being served) are also encouraged to consider the training program. Financial professionals and/or professional coders are eligible to participate as they play an important role in collaborating with patient advocates, as well as assisting patients and families in addressing financial/billing challenges.
Pricing:
Tuition for the Certificate in Professional Patient Advocacy program costs $895 per student. Enroll today!
For questions about the program, please contact clientservices@patientadvocatetraining.com or 888-707-5814.
Renewing Your Certificate:
Your certification is valid for two years. The valid-through date is printed on your certificate and can also be found under the "certifications” section of your profile.
Renewal Options:
- You can renew by accruing 20 continuing education contact hours
- You can renew though re-examination
If you renew by accruing continuing education contact hours, you will need to
- Accrue 20 hours of continuing education
- Pay a $175 renewal fee
- Complete the online renewal form
If you choose to renew via examination, you will need to complete the certificate process. Professionals choose to retake the certificate training program every other year due to the dynamic changes happening in healthcare.
On-site Workshops:
On-site workshops can be scheduled on a one-to-one basis. To discuss having an on-site workshop at your organization, please contact:
Carol Brault, Publisher, cbrault@accessintel.com
Anne Llewellyn, Editor in Chief, allewellyn@accessintel.com
Contact Us:
For questions about our program, please contact clientservices@patientadvocatetraining.com or 888-707-5814.
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