Care Coordinator Salary, Job Description, and Career Outlook

Key takeaways

A care coordinator manages patient care by monitoring treatment plans and connecting patients to other health care professionals. 

• According to Glassdoor, the median total pay for a care coordinator is $58,000 [1].

• As a care coordinator, you’ll consult with patients on their health status and conditions and educate them about medication and treatment options.

• You can prepare for a career as a care coordinator by earning a bachelor’s degree in social work, health care administration, or health science.

Learn more about a career as a care coordinator, including job duties and necessary skills, as well as how to become one. If you’re ready to develop your skills for this career, consider enrolling in Johns Hopkins University’s Patient Care Specialization. In as little as four weeks, you’ll have the chance to learn the core aspects of a strong patient safety culture. Upon completion, you’ll have developed in-depth knowledge that you can apply to your care coordinator role. 

What is a care coordinator? 

A health care coordinator or patient care coordinator takes a leadership role when it comes to managing and monitoring the care of patients. In this position, you are responsible for coordinating each patient's care, which may come from multiple providers, and ensuring effective treatment plans. You will connect patients with relevant care professionals, work to educate patients on their conditions, and monitor progress. Care coordinator jobs are common in hospitals, insurance companies, and care organizations. 

What does a patient care coordinator do? Duties and responsibilities

Care coordinator job descriptions vary slightly depending on the employer, organization, and types of patients they work with. Still, in general, you will be responsible for the following as a care coordinator:

• Consulting with patients on their health conditions and current treatment

• Educating patients on their conditions and discussing medication and treatment options

• Working with other health care professionals to devise a care plan for each patient 

• Monitoring and evaluating patient progress

• Advocating on behalf of patients

• Collaborating on any necessary interventions 

• Complying with health care regulations and ensuring patient confidentiality 

Read more: Is Health Care a Good Career Path? Outlook, Jobs, and More

Where can a patient care coordinator work? 

Care coordinators work in various settings, including doctors' offices, hospitals, medical facilities, insurance companies, and nonprofits such as community programs and rehabilitation.

Those who work for larger institutions support patients through advocacy, ensuring their needs are met by helping schedule appointments, supporting patients with medical documents and insurance claims, and ensuring they understand the treatment they need. 

Care coordinators who work for community programs are more likely to be responsible for a caseload of clients with varying needs, including the elderly or people with disabilities. Part of a care coordinator's job description, in this instance, is to help with transportation, payment plans, and anything that might stop patients from getting access to the care they need.

Skills and qualifications necessary for care coordination

Aside from gaining on-the-job skills through experience, a care coordinator needs a certain skill base to be the right person for the job. The technical and workplace skills you'll need include the following:

Technical skills

• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office

• Knowledge of databases specific to an organization to manage patient data 

• Ability to translate complex information in a way that patients can understand

Workplace skills

• Excellent communicator

• Empathy, compassion, and patience 

• Ability to lead groups of professionals

• Skilled at coordinating and organizing 

• Multitasking 

Educational requirements for care coordinator jobs​

You need a bachelor's degree and experience to work as a care coordinator. However, you won’t find a single set route or specific certifications to reach your goals, although you can choose from many that can be beneficial. 

Degree 

A bachelor’s degree is necessary to work as a care coordinator, but no accredited courses exist that you must take as long as your degree is in a relevant field. Many choose majors in business, communications, social work, or a medical field such as health care administration, medical management, public health, health science, or nursing. As well as choosing a relevant major, make sure your minors align with your career choice to give added value.

Experience 

Experience is critical to entering this profession, so it is a good idea to consider an internship or field placement as part of your degree or in a voluntary capacity. It’s common for people to work their way up to a care coordinator position by starting in entry-level care roles such as a medical clerk or health care information technician. Others move into the role after working as registered nurses or in similar positions. 

To succeed in the role of care coordinator, it’s essential that you know the care system you’re working in. That makes it possible to navigate and coordinate treatment while knowing where to make changes and developing an understanding of the roles of the professionals you work with. 

Local licensure 

Generally, you do not need a license to work as a care coordinator; however, exceptions may exist. 

Having a license is required in all states to work in nursing homes, and some states require a social worker license. Do your research to make sure you have all you need for the area you’re working in. 

Optional certifications

In addition to a degree, it’s common for care coordinators to advance to master’s programs in a relevant field, such as public health. In addition to this, you can explore several certification routes. 

The Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) offers certification in medical management. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers certification in health information management. More specific options are also available, such as the Care Coordination and Transition Management Certification (CCCTM) offered by the American Nurses Association. 

In addition to these certifications, keep up with continued education to increase your chances of advancing in your career.

How much does a care coordinator make?

According to Glassdoor, the estimated median total pay for care coordinators in the US is $58,000 per year [1]. This figure includes an average base salary ranging from $36,000 to $52,000, along with additional pay between $11,000 and $20,000. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

Career outlook for care coordinators 

The career outlook for care coordinators is good. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the industry to grow at a rate of 23 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is much higher than average [2]. 

Regarding career progression, working as a care coordinator can be a stepping stone to more senior leadership and administrative roles. This could be a care manager position, something more specialized, such as a patient care coordinator, a nurse case manager, or a step up to the top levels as an executive of a care organization. Typically, these higher levels require a master’s degree and years of experience.

Discover free resources for your health care coordinator career

Join us on Career Chat on LinkedIn, where you can access career tips and explore industry trends. Then, check out these resources to learn more about a career in health care:

• Explore emerging trends: AI in Health Care: Uses, Benefits, and Concerns 

• Watch on YouTube: What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree? 

• Find your path: Career Test: What Career Is Right for Me Quiz? 

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