Most emerging occupations develop from more than one occupation so patient advocates may come from a variety of education and training backgrounds. Prior to enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities.
Educational requirements for patient advocates vary based on the employer. A minimum of a two-year post-secondary diploma in a relevant discipline such as nursing, social work or business is sometimes required. Work experience related to patient advocacy may also be required by some employers.
Patient advocates who run their own businesses should be self-starters, have the ability to think creatively to market and promote their business, and be good at networking and developing business contacts.
No certification programs are currently available in Canada. However, certificate training programs are available in the United States through the Professional Patient Advocate Institute and some universities. These certifications are not necessarily required for employment or self-employment as a patient advocate.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.