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Patient Care Coordinator
Job Responsibilities of a Patient Care Coordinator
These responsibilities can vary widely depending on individual employer needs. Here are some of the responsibilities of patient care coordinators:
- Perform analytical and data entry task
- Answer patient calls, emails and questions, including finding insurance estimates
- Confidentially manage patient accounts
- Schedule patient visits and answer pre-visit questions, including about billing
- Ensure compliance with professional standards & regulatory requirements
- Provide patient consultations and recommended treatments
- Discuss cost of service, insurance coverage, and payment options with the patient
- Work as a team player to ensure each patient receives the best service possible
- Schedule any necessary outpatient appointments
- Get prior authorizations for procedures
- Scan documents into patient charts
- Meet with patients and families regarding treatments, procedures, medications, and continuing care.
- Assist care team with setting goals for quality assurance and best practices
- Provide community resources and referrals for continuing care
- Assist in locating funding for special procedures or other patient needs
Career Outlook for Patient Care Coordinators
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not directly report statistics on Patient Care Coordinators, similarly employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As the large baby-boom population enters older age groups, which typically experience more health problems, there should be increased demand for healthcare services. This means there will be greater need for physicians and other healthcare workers, medical procedures, and healthcare facilities, and therefore greater need for managers to organize and oversee medical information and healthcare staff. These managers are important for improving care coordination, which is key in team-based care.
In addition, widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) will continue to create demand for managers with knowledge of health information technology (IT) and informatics systems. Medical and health services managers will be needed to organize, oversee, and integrate these records across areas of the healthcare industry.
What can I do with a Health Services Assistant Diploma?
A health services assistant diploma will prepare you for an entry-level position as a patient care coordinator. As a graduate of this diploma program, you will be trained to handle multiple roles in the healthcare field through critical thinking and health-related skills. You will have the required management and financial skills to work effectively in both administrative and clerical roles in clinical settings. Recall that many of the functions of a patient care coordinator fall into this category. You will also understand the procedures and terminology in the healthcare industry to allow you to move into an entry-level position in the health care field, and specifically as a patient care coordinator. The patient care coordinator is often called upon to explain procedures to patients. You will be able to comply with administrative healthcare industry standards using the records management and scheduling skills you learn in this diploma program.
Additional Training/Requirements
Because so many healthcare providers are going to electronic health records (EHRs), it is vital that you have good computer skills. You may also want to take extra courses in health and biology, especially if you can do so in high school. Many employers look for candidates with associate and bachelor’s degrees, but it is not an absolute requirement and depends on the employer’s needs. However, students who wish to further their education can apply their courses and earned credits toward an associate or bachelor’s degree in health services administration at Bryant & Stratton College.
Patient care coordinators should have good analytical skills to be able to understand and then explain medical procedures and diagnoses to patients. You should be compassionate, resourceful, a team player, and emotionally stable as you could easily be working with distraught, confused, or even angry patients. You should be detail oriented and show integrity in your work as you have an obligation to keep patient records confidential.
Employment Settings
The BLS shares most medical and health services managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Evening or weekend work may be required in healthcare settings that operate around the clock, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Medical and health services managers may need to be on call in case of emergencies. Medical and health services managers may work on a team with other healthcare providers, such as licensed practical nurses and medical assistants.
For insights into a career as a patient care coordinator, please visit the Career Services section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about health care careers. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Health Services Assistant Diploma Page.
While these projections can help career-minded people evaluate potential employment fields, it is important to note that job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is only intended to provide insight on occupational opportunities. It should not be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment in any field.
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