OVERVIEW
What is a Healthcare Coordinator?
A healthcare coordinator supports patients in a clinical setting throughout every stage of the treatment process. Healthcare coordinators answer patients’ questions and address their immediate concerns. While a doctor is meeting with a patient, healthcare coordinators may organize health records, process insurance paperwork, track vitals, and perform similar administrative tasks. After treatment concludes, a healthcare coordinator answers any lingering questions and schedules follow-up appointments.
Education is important for those aspiring to become healthcare coordinators. This role is ideal for those who are passionate about healthcare but don’t want to be a doctor or nurse. You’ll need to obtain at least a relevant undergraduate degree to be considered for a long-term healthcare coordinator position. Some healthcare coordinator applicants also benefit from secondary degrees or certifications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Healthcare Coordinator Do?
Healthcare coordinators maintain busy schedules. A healthcare coordinator might personally communicate with patients and their families, process vital health information, check on patient progress, and assist doctors with administrative duties. The daily responsibilities of a healthcare coordinator typically include the following:
Communicating with patients to answer questions they might have about treatment modalities.
Managing patient policies and procedures for a healthcare center.
Documenting patient treatment updates in their personal health records.
Assisting healthcare teams in providing care, checking patient vitals, and fulfilling nonclinical service needs.
Empathizing with patients and taking time to encourage their progress.
Ensuring continued compliance with healthcare laws and standards.
Educating patients on all stages of their treatment process, providing relevant information on therapy types, medications, and other details.
Researching additional resources that can improve the patient experience.
The role of healthcare coordinators is nuanced, often requiring them to provide services as they are needed. Sometimes, they spend a majority of their day communicating with patients scheduled to receive care. On other days, they might be processing insurance records, updating patient medical information, and completing other clerical duties.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Healthcare Coordinator?
Before you embark on a career as a healthcare coordinator, you’ll need to receive the necessary education. This usually means earning a healthcare degree that will prepare you to provide care and direction in a patient-first setting.
You have several options when obtaining a degree in healthcare. You might pursue a bachelor’s degree in health and human services, where you’ll learn how to improve the operation of any healthcare system. You’ll also learn the specifics of care coordination and how to identify potential social health determinants that could affect a patient’s treatment.
As you work toward obtaining a degree, you'll gain a firm understanding of the healthcare regulations that keep the industry safe and productive. You may also become familiar with the value of healthcare data systems, technology, and healthcare coding.
Finally, consider earning a relevant master’s degree or seeking industry certification to increase your earning potential and reach the next step of your career.
Best Degrees for a Healthcare Coordinator
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
How Much Does a Healthcare Coordinator Make?
$43,411
According to Zippia.com, the average annual salary for healthcare coordinators in the U.S. in June 2024 was $43,411. Healthcare coordinator salaries range from about $32,000 to $57,000 a year. Exact earnings vary based on a number of factors, including a healthcare coordinator’
What Is the Job Outlook?
28%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that overall employment in healthcare is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate also applies to healthcare coordinator jobs.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Healthcare Coordinator Need?
Healthcare coordinators put a variety of hard and soft skills to use. These skills allow them to communicate well in a healthcare setting while focusing on improving the quality of patient care across the board. Helpful skills include the following:
- Interpersonal communication. Healthcare coordinators must correspond effectively with patients, patient family members, and medical staff in person, over the phone, and via email.
- Problem-solving. Identifying and resolving any issues that patients might be experiencing while receiving care helps healthcare coordinators excel.
- Technological proficiency. The ability to use all necessary technology in the office—computers, tablets, phones, and online software programs—is invaluable.
- Teamwork. Healthcare coordinators know how to collaborate with each staff member, physician, and patient on the medical floor.
- Research. Allocating time to research and implement enhanced patient care services is important for successful healthcare coordination.
- Data analysis. Healthcare coordinators need to identify trends in medical information to help patients and other healthcare professionals draw useful conclusions about treatment plans and patient outlooks.
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