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 care, 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 that.

The Dutch Patient Federation represents more than 200 patient organizations. Approximately 75 people work at our office in Utrecht.

The Patient Federation is looking for an experienced, enthusiastic

Patient Advocacy Advisor

(full-time: 36 hours per week)

We are looking for a proactive, results-oriented consultant/project manager who can join our team on short notice to work on various projects. A consultant/project manager who is passionate about digital healthcare innovations and who can prioritize the patient’s interests in this field.

The Digital Healthcare Department

The department consists of a team of approximately 7 professionals who are jointly responsible for various areas related to digital data exchange, personal health environments (PHEs), and hybrid care. Each team member is involved in one or more programs or projects in the field of digital healthcare. In this way, we contribute to national healthcare information policy in collaboration with the government and other healthcare stakeholders, and we are realizing a vision for digital healthcare and PHEs in particular. We also promote hybrid care and work on the website digitalezorggids.nl, the guide to finding the most suitable digital healthcare options for people. The motto “for patients and by patients” is central to this. In addition, we also carry out projects in the areas of medication transfer within the healthcare chain and artificial intelligence. In all our projects, key themes such as user-friendliness, privacy, and public awareness play a major role.

What are you going to do?

We are looking for a patient advocacy advisor/project manager who will work on multiple projects in the field of digital healthcare. You will contribute to:

• The PGO on Air program (see PGO on Air (patientenfederatie.nl)—where, as a project leader within the program, you will lead one of our pillars. You are responsible for the direction of the pillar, planning and executing activities that contribute to the objectives, and coordinating with various stakeholders regarding the PGO on Air program. Within your pillar, the focus is on the user perspective (gathering user experiences through research/panels and applying these experiences in various parts of the network).
  
• The website digitalezorggids.nl (DZG), the guide to help citizens find the most suitable digital healthcare options. In this role, you’ll help shape the direction of digitalezorggids.nl, coordinate with various patient organizations on the use of digital healthcare, and contribute to the continuous improvement of the guide. You’ll do this in collaboration with the product manager.
  

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;
  
• 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 with socially meaningful work at an engaging organization: a dedicated and inspiring team of colleagues, where employees and managers collaborate in an informal yet professional manner. It’s an organization that encourages initiative, where you can further develop your skills in substantive, strategic, and political areas. With us, you’ll build a valuable network within the healthcare sector.

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.

We adhere to the Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, you are enrolled in the Healthcare and Welfare Pension Fund.

Are you interested?

Please send a cover letter and resume to Debbie Duijst, HR Advisor, by March 13, 2023: vacature@patientenfederatie.nl.

The first round of job interviews is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

The second round of talks will take place on Tuesday, March 28.

For more information, please contact Marcel Heldoorn, Digital Healthcare Manager:

m.heldoorn@patientenfederatie.nl. For information about the application process, please send an email to personeelszaken@patientenfederatie.nl.

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.