Patient Care Coordinator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Patient Care Coordinator, or Care Coordinator, is in charge of managing communication between patients, family members, care providers and other healthcare institutions. Their duties include scheduling appointments with Doctors, providing referrals to new care providers and teaching patients about their health issues.

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Patient Care Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities

A Patient Care Coordinator may complete a variety of tasks during a shift. Some Patient Care Coordinator duties and responsibilities may include:

  • Using data to do analytical tasks and charting tasks related to patient information
  • Communicating with patients about their status and condition through emails, phone and face-to-face conversations
  • Managing patient accounts with contact information, insurance and financial information in a confidential manner
  • Scheduling patient visits and answer questions, including billing and preparation
  • Ensuring services comply with state and federal regulatory requirements
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Patient Care Coordinator Job Description Examples

 

Example 1

*Summary* The role of the Care Coordinator is to work in collaboration with patient and his/her primary care provider in a team approach to promoting timely access to appropriate care, increasing utilization of preventative care, reducing emergency room utilization and hospital readmissions, increasing comprehension through culturally and linguistically appropriate education, creating and promoting adherence to a care plan, increasing continuity of care by managing relationships with tertiary care providers, transitions-in-care, and referrals. The Care Coordinator will also work to increase patients’ ability for self-management and shared decision-making, provide medication reconciliation, and connect patients to relevant community resources, with the goal of enhancing patient health and well-being, increasing patient satisfaction, and reducing health care costs. *Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities* * Knowledge of health and disease management patient education programs. * Ability to serve as patient advocate and navigator when guiding assigned CFHC patients through the internal and external healthcare systems. * Ability to participate in Patient-Centered Medical Home team meetings and quality improvement initiatives to help achieve clinic goals, clinical measures and customer satisfaction. * Ability to process and track referrals and diagnostics. * Ability to process recall list from chronic care management reports and insurance payers in a timely manner to include, but not limit to, completion of service request, completion of forms (manually or electronically), and appropriate follow-up, in an effective and appropriate manner. * Knowledge of Health Information Technology (HIT) systems and be able to document recall status in patient’s electronic medical records. * Ability to assist patients in problem solving potential issues related to the health care system, financial or social barriers. * Must demonstrate emotional stability, ability to cope with stress and be non-judgmental towards patient diversity. * Must be able to organize and use time and resources effectively. * Must be able to follow and give oral and written instructions clearly and precisely. * Maintain confidentiality with all aspects of information in accordance with practice, State and Federal regulations. * Must be able to sit, stand, bend, lift and move intermittently during the workday. Must be proficient using Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Practice Management (EPM) systems and possess intermediate level skills on Microsoft Office Suite. *Qualifications/Education Requirements* Must be a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) or graduate of an accredited school of medical assisting (MA) in good standing with the State of Mississippi. MA position requires registration or certification by a nationally recognized certifying body. Nationally recognized certifying bodies include the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the American Medical Technologists Agency (AMT), and National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and the National Health Career Association (NHA). Two years of clinical and administrative experience in a primary care practice, community health, or public health setting is preferred. *Core Competencies* * Directs and supports patient self-management of disease and behavior modification interventions. * Coordinates continuity of patient care with patients and families following hospital admission, discharge, and ER visits. * Manages high-risk patient care, including management of patients with multiple co-morbidities or high risk for readmission to a hospital setting, including a registry. * Conducts comprehensive, preventive screenings for patients and/or assists all support staff in daily patient interactions as needed. * Knowledge of patient medication management based upon standing orders and protocols. * Schedules and tracks diagnostic and specialty referrals, including obtaining prior authorizations and insurance criteria. * Conducts internal and 3rd party recalls. * Participates on a team for data collection, health outcomes reporting, clinical audits, and programmatic evaluation related to the Patient-Centered Medical Home and Medical Neighborhood initiatives. * Performs timely follow up on pending/outstanding patient appointments and document updates in the patient’s record. * Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. Upholds, complies with, and enforces the Core Principles and Code of Conduct. **NOTE: The pay will depend on certification or licensure.**' ' Work Location: * One location Job Type: Full-time Pay: $13.00 - $20.00 per hour Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Employee assistance program * Employee discount * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Schedule: * Day shift Experience: * Clinical and Administrative: 2 years (Preferred) * LPN License or MA Certification (Required) Work Location: One location

What Does A Patient Care Coordinator Do?

Patient Care Coordinators work as patient advocates at social service and healthcare providers like group homes and hospitals. They generally assist patients who may not be able to manage their care on their own, such as disabled or elderly people. The role of a Patient Care Coordinator is to make sure their client is aware of all the responsibilities associated with caring for their health and helping them manage those tasks. They can help the patient pay medical bills, schedule transportation to appointments, pick up medications and follow up with care providers about their condition. 

Patient Care Coordinators determine a patient’s eligibility for different community support and financial assistance programs, enabling them to access the care they need. They put together care plans and explain them to the patient and their family, answering questions and carefully documenting each step.

Patient Care Coordinator Skills and Qualifications

Patient Care Coordinators should have a variety of skills relating to the position. Some required skills may include:

  • Teamwork to coordinate with Doctors, Nurses and other health care personnel
  • Strong verbal communication skills to communicate with patients and the health care team
  • People skills to connect emotionally with patients and health care personnel
  • Leadership
  • Management skills
  • Counseling skills
  • Time-management skill

Patient Care Coordinator Salary Expectations

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Patient Care Coordinator Education and Training Requirements

A Patient Care Coordinator usually needs to have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or social work. However, education in related fields such as substance abuse counseling, psychology, sociology or criminal justice is useful for the Patient Care Coordinator role and career path. There are Patient Care Coordinator training programs available as well as certificate programs for the profession and professional growth as a Patient Care Coordinator. Health Unit Coordinator and Patient Care Coordinator certificate programs usually last two years and are available at many community colleges. The Patient Care Coordinator examination required to attain the certification is given by the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators. Students taking a two year course in Patient Care Coordinator work will learn how to communicate with patients, communicate physicians’ orders, read medical charts and follow hospital policies and procedures. They will also learn about laws related to the health care profession. If the Patient Care Coordinator pursues a more senior career role as Patient Care Coordinator, then a master’s degree or doctorate is useful.

Patient Care Coordinator Experience Requirements

Employers prefer at least one year of related work experience in a Patient Care Coordinator position for someone with a bachelor’s degree. It is useful to have supervisory experience as a Patient Care Coordinator if the person will be in charge of other staff at a health care facility. However, some health care facilities will substitute a master’s degree for lack of experience.

Patient Care Coordinator Samples for Similar Positions

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Frequently asked questions about Patient Care Coordinators

 

What is the difference between a Patient Care Coordinator and a Medical Scheduler?

Patient Care Coordinators and Medical Schedulers both set healthcare appointments for patients, but Patient Care Coordinators have a more comprehensive role that involves looking after each patient’s overall wellness. Medical Schedulers serve an administrative role in a healthcare office where they determine staff schedules and set appointments with patients based on their availability. They may not meet a patient or know about their medical details besides the type of appointment they want to schedule. 

Patient Care Coordinators act as patient advocates and provide some administrative services as part of how they assist patients. They have in-depth knowledge of a patient’s medical history and healthcare needs that they use to provide guidance and create a healthcare plan. They assess a patient’s needs and coordinate care based on their findings, calling Medical Schedulers to confirm the appointment with a care provider.

 

What are the daily duties of a Patient Care Coordinator?

Patient Care Coordinators manage several cases at once to provide people in need and their families with support and assistance. They determine which patients have the greatest need for medical coordination help. After accepting a new case, Patient Care Coordinators meet with patients and perform an initial assessment of their healthcare needs. They answer question the patient has about their injuries or illnesses, explaining how they plan to address each aspect of their care. The Patient Care Coordinator follows up with their patients throughout the implementation of the care plan, liaising with their Doctors and other carers.

 

What are the characteristics of a good Patient Care Coordinator?

As patient advocates, Patient Care Coordinators work hard to find solutions for their client’s healthcare needs, requiring them to be creative, resourceful, hardworking and dedicated. Good Patient Care Coordinators must have excellent research skills so they can track down resources for their clients who may not have the means to access healthcare on their own. They are friendly, kind and patient with their clients when talking to them about their condition and healthcare options. Patient Care Coordinators are highly organized and can track the progress and appointments of multiple patients while keeping their information private and confidential.

 

What should you look for on a Patient Care Coordinator's resume?

Good candidates for a Patient Care Coordinator position should have some form of previous advocacy experience on their resume. People who’ve worked for social services or community programs in the past can be a good fit for a Patient Care Coordinator role. Resumes that list previous healthcare experience can also indicate top candidates who understand how the healthcare system works, allowing them to help their clients navigate it successfully.

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