Patient Representatives
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 49%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Patient Representatives in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 4% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2036, and 49% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 182,610 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $50,290 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 73% for contact with people.
- Also called: Access Representative (Access Rep), Admissions Coordinator, BCPA (Board Certified Patient Advocate), Case Manager.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies | 23% | 9% to 23% | |
| Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge | 18% | 72% to 74% | |
| Investigate and direct patient inquiries or complaints to appropriate medical staff members and follow up to ensure satisfactory resolution | 16% | 9% to 27% | |
| Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care | 13% | 50% to 72% | |
| Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources | 10% | 9% to 27% | |
| Collect and report data on topics, such as patient encounters or inter-institutional problems, making recommendations for change when appropriate | 5% | 63% to 81% | |
| Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients | 4% | 40% to 68% | |
| Read current literature, talk with colleagues, continue education, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in the field | 3% | 64% to 78% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills patient representatives use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Psychiatric Technicians32% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,130
- Registered Nurses45% of tasks by 2035 · US median $97,550
- Clergy48% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,810
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $292,910
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Patient Representatives?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2036. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of patient representatives?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of patient representatives today and 49% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2099.08 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Patient Representatives: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/patient-representatives/