Changing Career from Med/Surg, LTC to Patient Rep?

[Town & Country]

QUESTION:

How does one become a Patient Representative?

Also, how does one become a freelance Patient Rep, and IS THERE SUCH A THING?

My background is primarily Med/Surg, and LTC.

I seem to be "drawn" to be a patient advocate, so that sortof points in the direction of patient rep.

Are patient reps "really" reps for the patient ~ or is that just a created job to satisfy corporate liability?

If I do it, I want to really do it and not just be a figurehead or a phoney.....

[Town & Country]

been wanting to start a business.

what about researching a federal grant to start a business, re: a grant to establish a patient rep/advocacy group?