Patient Advocacy Advisor

The Dutch Patient Federation represents over 200 patient organizations. It advocates for all people who need healthcare. Thanks to its members, the reviews on ZorgkaartNederland, the information on DigitaleZorgGids, the experiences shared on Mijnkwaliteitvanleven.nl, the input from over 24,000 Care Panel members, and the questions submitted via the National Care Number, the Dutch Patient Federation knows what patients believe is working well and what could be improved. With this knowledge, the federation, together with its members, influences healthcare policy. And the Dutch Patient Federation gives a voice to everyone who needs care now or in the future: in the doctor’s office and in politics, with health insurers, and in the news.

Our organization in Utrecht employs approximately 75 people.

We are currently looking for a

Patient Advocacy Advisor

(full-time: 36 hours per week)

The Digital Healthcare Department

The department consists of a team of approximately seven professionals who are jointly responsible for various areas related to digital data exchange, personal health environments (PHEs), and hybrid care.Digital health is a powerful tool for empowering patients to take greater control of their health. The team’s work primarily consists of: 

1. active involvement in the development of national healthcare IT policy in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector; 
   
2. the realization of our vision for digital healthcare in general and for personal health environments in particular; 
   
3. promoting hybrid care; 
   
4. positioning of DigitaleZorgGids, the guide to help people find the digital healthcare options that best suit their needs. Key factors in this process include privacy, information security, accessibility, user-friendliness, artificial intelligence, innovation, scaling up, and public awareness and understanding of the possibilities offered by digital healthcare.
   

What are you going to do?

We are looking for a patient advocacy advisor who will be involved in a range of activities related to digital healthcare. You will contribute to:

• the national policy on the implementation, acceleration, and expansion of digital healthcare;
  
• the PGO on Air program (see pgo.nl);
  
• DigitaleZorgGids.nl (DZG), the guide to finding the best digital healthcare options for people.
  

You will influence and persuade external organizations and/or government agencies of the importance of the message of the Dutch Patient Federation and its application in your area of focus. Your responsibilities will include, for example:

• Developing case knowledge and maintaining and expanding relationships with external parties;
  
• Contribute proactively to policy development, in collaboration with our member organizations and patients;
  
• Consultation and coordination with healthcare stakeholders to ensure that patient interests are safeguarded in digital healthcare programs and activities;
  
• Prepare the Patient Federation’s policy positions on your specific policy area(s);
  
• Contributing ideas to the planning of projects, as well as implementing and supporting them;
  
• Collaborating with team members and colleagues both within and outside the Patient Federation.
  

About PGO on Air

The Patient Federation strives to ensure that all residents who wish to do so have access to an accessible, user-friendly, and comprehensive personal health environment (PHE) that adds value to the care process and contains information that is understandable to everyone. This allows people to take greater control of their health and care and to actively participate in shared decision-making with their healthcare provider.That is why the PGO Alliance was formed with patient andconsumer organizations, as well as industry and professional associations in the healthcare sector, with the goal of making PGOs in the Netherlands a reality.

PGO on Air is a multi-year program that promotes the use of PGO’s by helping people learn about, select, use, and make the most of PGO’s. Together with healthcare providers and healthcare institutions, we seek to identify the added value of PGO’s. Collaboration is crucial to achieving this goal. The program has four pillars: target group-oriented communication, selecting PGOs, supply and demand, and knowledge and skills. You will be assigned to the program as a project assistant or project leader.

About DigitaleZorgGids.nl

DZG is the guide to finding the most suitable digital healthcare solutions for people with or without a medical condition. We aim to assist them in an independent and transparent manner when they encounter digital tools in their healthcare journey or wish to use them themselves. Our goal is to reach out, explain, help, and support. You will contribute your ideas and expertise to shaping the direction and content of the DigitaleZorgGids.

Your profile

You’re a reliable team member. Someone who:

• has successfully completed an academic program;
  
• at least three years of relevant experience in strategic thinking and decision-making;
  
• quickly grasps complex issues and knows how to handle them;
  
• sets goals, has an eye for quality, and is results-oriented;
  
• is proactive and creative and takes responsibility;
  
• has demonstrable knowledge of and experience with project-based work;
  
• is able to effectively advocate for patients' interests;
  
• has a critical perspective and operates within the objectives of an advocacy group;
  
• is able to switch easily between topics and projects;
  
• can easily collaborate with colleagues and/or in teams across different organizations;
  
• has strong communication skills and can express themselves clearly both verbally and in writing;
  
• Preferably has knowledge of one or more of the following areas: digital healthcare, accessibility, health literacy, user-friendliness, health apps, data exchange, and/or relevant laws and regulations.
  

What do we offer you?

We offer a diverse role involving socially meaningful work within an engaging organization staffed by dedicated individuals. An organization where you can further develop your skills in substantive, strategic, and political areas. With us, you’ll build a strong network within the healthcare sector.

You’ll find an inspiring team of colleagues where employees and managers work together in a casual yet professional manner. There’s plenty of room for initiative and personal growth.

We offer flexible working hours. So this isn’t a job where you necessarily have to work strictly “9 to 5.” We operate on a hybrid model: partly from our office in Utrecht and partly from home. Of course, our office has been adapted to meet today’s standards.

Depending on your education and experience, the salary is up to €4,927.00 gross per month for a 36-hour workweek (Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement, Scale 10). You will receive a one-year employment contract with the possibility of renewal.

The Dutch Patient Federation offers attractive employment conditions, including an Individual Choice Budget (IKB) and a career budget. The IKB provides you with a budget that you can use as you see fit—either to receive a cash payment or, for example, to purchase additional leave hours.

The Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement is followed. Under the terms of the agreement, you are enrolled in the Healthcare and Social Services Pension Fund.

Are you interested?

Please send a cover letter and resume to Debbie Duijst, HR Advisor, by January 8, 2023: vacature@patientenfederatie.nl.

The first round of interviews is scheduled for January 17, 2023. The second round of interviews will take place on January 24, 2023. For more information about the job description, please

Send an email to Marcel Heldoorn (m.heldoorn@patientenfederatie.nl).

For more information about the Dutch Patient Federation and its activities, visit www.patientenfederatie.nl.

This job opening is being advertised both internally and externally. If deemed suitable, internal candidates will be given priority.

We are committed to increasing diversity in our workforce. We therefore strongly encourage people from diverse backgrounds (such as those with an immigrant background or those with a disability or chronic illness) to apply.

We expressly do not welcome unsolicited sales calls regarding this advertisement. We will therefore not respond to them!