Palliative Care Patient Advocacy Advisor

More person, less patient. That is what the Dutch Patient Federation stands for. Together with our members, we advocate for people who need healthcare, now and in the future. So that people can choose and receive the care that best suits them. We develop policies and influence those of other organizations and decision-makers. We ask how people experience healthcare. And based on that, we make their voices heard in doctors’ offices, in politics, and in the news. You contribute directly to this. The Dutch Patient Federation represents over 200 patient organizations. About 75 people work at our organization in Utrecht.

We are currently looking for a

Palliative Care Patient Advocacy Advisor

(32–36 hours per week).

The team

You’ll be joining a friendly and motivated team of 18 colleagues who are passionate about providing quality care. We advocate for the interests of patients and clients in specialist medical care, palliative care, and maternity care.

Better palliative care starts with truly involving patients and their loved ones. To provide patient-centered care, it is important to listen to people on an ongoing basis: what are their experiences, wishes, and needs? This can help us develop better services, products, or policies in palliative care. We do this in collaboration with our members and other organizations in the field of palliative care.

Who are we looking for?

In addition to a great colleague, we are looking for an advocate who can amplify the voice of patients in palliative care. We are seeking a connector who can help and inspire organizations working in palliative care to foster patient participation. Sometimes this means sitting at the table yourself to represent the patient’s voice; other times, it means advising others on the best ways to approach this.

What will you be doing?

A significant part of your work involves bringing the patient’s perspective to working groups and national guidelines. The experiences of people in the palliative phase of their lives and their loved ones play a key role in this. After all, it’s about outcomes and the quality of care for these individuals. You ensure that these experiences are gathered through our affiliated patient organizations, by organizing discussions with experts by experience, or by distributing a questionnaire to our Care Panel.

You will consult with external parties to ensure the patient perspective is incorporated into webinars. You will make patient information clear and accessible and organize focus groups.

In short, you’ll be bridging the gap between the interests of patient organizations and palliative care organizations such as PZNL and its member organizations. Thanks to you, palliative care for patients will improve.

Your profile

You’re a go-getter and have a genuine concern for patients. You’re someone who:

• has a demonstrable affinity for caring for people in the final stages of life;
• has a college or university level of thinking and working, preferably in the field of healthcare;
• has relevant work experience (e.g., advocacy, policy/advisory role in the field of healthcare quality);
• has relevant experience with patient organizations, health foundations, or advocacy groups that address social issues;
• has a good sense of proportion and priorities;
• can effectively influence;
• writes and speaks clearly;
• is collaborative and people-oriented;
• can work on multiple projects at the same time.

Offer

We offer a challenging position in a dynamic organization filled with passionate people. You’ll join a friendly team where hard work and fun go hand in hand. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of palliative care and have the opportunity to make a real difference. The coming years are expected to bring many changes in the healthcare sector, in which the Dutch Patient Federation will play a key role—and where you can make a meaningful contribution.

Depending on your education and experience, the salary is up to €4,927 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 prospect of a permanent position.

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 Sunday, March 19, 2023: vacature@patientenfederatie.nl.

The first round of job interviews is scheduled for Monday, March 27, 2023.

The second round of talks will take place on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

For more information about the job description, please send an email to Linda Daniels, Manager of Medical Specialist Care (l.daniels@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 in response to this advertisement. We will therefore not respond to them.