A study identified the competencies performed by the patient representative, a relatively new member of the health care team. An ad hoc advisory committee was formulated, and a working committee was formed from volunteers and people recommended by the ad hoc committee. The working committee identified the competencies required of the patient representative using the task analysis methodology. The draft of competencies was then reviewed by the ad hoc advisory committee, and the competency list was revised per recommendations. Following the three-page narrative, four appendixes are provided. These are the task analysis for the patient representative, a list of individuals who reviewed the task analysis, a list of working committee members, and a proposed job description for the patient representative. (YLB)