OVERVIEW
What is a Patient Educator?
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A patient educator works with treatment providers and patients to coordinate treatment programs and address questions from patients and their families. As a patient educator, you will represent a patient鈥檚 needs鈥攁nd any of their concerns鈥攄uring and after treatment plans are implemented.
Patient educators are also commonly known as 鈥渉ealth educators,鈥� though the responsibilities remain the same regardless of job title.
In some healthcare organizations, patient educators might also be registered nurses. Other patient educators can employ individuals solely in a patient education capacity. Typically, patient educators have at least an undergraduate degree, along with at least a few years of experience in a patient education capacity. Some patient educator positions require one or more certifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a听Patient Educator Do?
The responsibilities of a patient educator can vary widely. On some days, you might spend time communicating directly with patients, informing their understanding of all treatment types. On other days, you might implement those same treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes.听The exact responsibilities of a patient educator can include:
- Educating patients听regarding upcoming treatments, procedures, and expected outcomes.
- Developing treatment plans听that address a patient鈥檚 needs.
- Implementing treatment modalities听that can help guide patients to recovery.
- Communicating with other care providers听to familiarize them with a patient鈥檚 needs, preferences, and concerns.
- Corresponding with patient families听to provide updates on a patient鈥檚 treatment or recovery path.
- Collaborating with patient care providers听to provide high-quality patient care, especially during more complicated procedures.
- Tracking a patient鈥檚 continual reactions to treatment.
These and other responsibilities keep patient educators busy on a day-to-day basis as they communicate with and provide treatment to patients.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Patient Educator?
To become a patient care coordinator, you鈥檒l likely need to obtain a听bachelor's degree in health and human services, health science听or a related area of study. Care coordinators benefit greatly from practical experience in clinical settings, as well as an understanding of the business considerations of healthcare. Still, it鈥檚 important to emphasize that education needs largely depend on each employer鈥檚 requirements.
With these details in mind,听, while 9.3% have master's degrees. Each of these programs helps students learn about medical coding, finance, office procedures, and transcription to prepare for their job as a patient care coordinator.
Best Degrees for a Patient Educator
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services 鈥� B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time:听63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition:听$4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses:听35 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Health Science 鈥� B.S.
An online health science program designed for students who want real-world...
An online health science program designed for students who want real-world skills for valuable health careers.
- Time:听63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition:听$4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses:听28 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Disease prevention
- Behavioral health
- Substance abuse support
- Health research
- Medical technology
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your healthcare career.
Health & Nursing
Master of Public Health
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for...
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for students who want to make a difference in their community.
- Time:听60% of students finish similar programs in听21 months.
- Tuition:听$4,995 per 6-month term
- Courses:听12 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 you will learn in this program:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Health & Nursing
Public Health - B.S.
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact...
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact your community and make a difference.
- Time:听63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition:听$4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses:听33 total courses in this program
Skills for your r茅sum茅 you will learn in this program:
- Cognitive psychology
- Public health approaches
- Epidemiology
- Biopsychosocial health models
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a听Patient Educator Make?
$50,833
The exact income of a patient educator can vary based on several different influences. These factors include your employer, employer鈥檚 location, employer鈥檚 public or private funding, years of experience, education, and active certifications. The听听can average $50,833 per year.
What is the Projected Job Growth?
7%
The job outlook for patient educators is expected to remain positive over the next decade. From 2022 to 2032,听. This forecasted growth rate is much faster than the average across all occupations.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a听Patient Educator Need?
Patient educators implement a variety of skills in their healthcare environment. Their well-developed skill sets help them communicate with patients, implement treatment plans, and gauge how well they respond to individual treatment modalities.听The individual skills that a patient educator needs can include:
- Patient education.听The ability to answer patient questions, address patient concerns, and familiarize patients with details on upcoming treatment modalities.
- Patient treatment.听The ability to implement effective treatment modalities, in tandem with other patient care providers, to improve patient outcomes.
- Interpersonal communication.听The ability to communicate with nurses, doctors, and other patient care providers to inform them of a patient鈥檚 needs and preferences.
- Technological proficiency.听The ability to correctly use all necessary pieces of healthcare technology, including any medical devices, online platforms, and databases.
- Empathy.听The ability to share a patient鈥檚 feelings toward their circumstances, and then implement strategies that help patients remain comfortable and anxiety-free while receiving care.
These and other skills allow patient educators to enjoy success each day in a healthcare environment while communicating with patients and implementing specific treatment strategies.
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