Patient Care Coordinator
A smiling female healthcare professional in blue scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck stands in a brightly lit hallway, ready to support patients and explore new pharmacy careers.

Patient Care Coordinator

Healthcare degree career guide
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A smiling male Patient Care Coordinator in blue scrubs talks with a woman at a reception desk in a bright, modern clinic. A flower arrangement is on the counter beside them.

What is a Patient Care Coordinator?

A patient care coordinator, sometimes referred to as a care coordinator or patient navigator, manages a patient’s treatment and healthcare needs while ensuring clear communication between the patient and their providers. This role is versatile and involves administrative duties, HR tasks, public relations, and case management to make sure patient needs are fully met. Care coordinators typically work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, nursing homes, and specialty care centers.

Employers typically look for candidates that have credentials in the health services administration field. Earning your Health Services Administration Assistant Diploma at Bryant & Stratton College is the first step toward a career in healthcare.

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What does a Patient Care Coordinator do?

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 

What are the steps to becoming a Patient Care Coordinator?

Health Services Administration Program
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12 months

Approximate Program Length

Credits Icon

36 credits

Total Credits

Program Start Date Icon

January 14

Next Start Date

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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.

Related Degrees

AAS Health Services Administration

AAS Health Services Administration

As demand for healthcare professionals rise, non-clinical opportunities are growing to support healthcare facilities, clinics, medical offices, and hospitals. Learn about the various aspects of how healthcare facilities are managed and gain a foundation to handle business and administrative duties, managing medical records, administrative coordination, and more.

Next Online Start Date:
March 11

Next On-Campus Start Date:
May 06

Total Credit Hours: 60

Approximate Program Length:
Under 2 years

Online On-Campus
BS Health Services Administration

BS Health Services Administration

The healthcare industry continues to grow and is creating career opportunities for those seeking a non-clinical role in healthcare. Graduates will understand health-related concepts, as well as a strong foundation on the financial and legal aspects in healthcare, disaster planning and manage-ment, and information sys-tems.

Next Online Start Date:
March 11

Next On-Campus Start Date:
May 06

Total Credit Hours: 120

Approximate Program Length:
32-40 months

Online On-Campus
BBA Medical Services Management

BBA Medical Services Management

Want to leverage your business acumen with a career in healthcare that makes an impact? Obtain a strong foundation in key business and administrative functions in different healthcare settings and apply analytical and management skills within the healthcare field.

Next Online Start Date:
March 11

Next On-Campus Start Date:
May 06

Total Credit Hours: 121

Approximate Program Length:
32-40 months

Online On-Campus

Next Start Dates

Online

March 11

Start Date

On-Campus

May 06

Start Date

Our flexible delivery model is designed to cater to diverse schedules and preferences, offering many different terms to accommodate the unique needs of our students. With starts available every 8 to 16 weeks, you have the freedom to choose a timeline that aligns with your lifestyle and commitments.

This approach ensures that you can embark on your educational journey at a time that suits you best, providing the convenience and accessibility necessary for a successful learning experience.

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Career Outlook for a Patient Care Coordinator

A young woman in blue scrubs, with a stethoscope around her neck, holds notebooks and smiles at the camera—capturing the confidence of a future Patient Care Coordinator. Others in similar attire are blurred in the background, suggesting a medical or nursing school setting.

What is the projected job growth?

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. 

Two male healthcare professionals, including a Patient Care Coordinator in blue scrubs and a colleague in a dress shirt with a lanyard, sit at a table discussing paperwork with their team in a modern office setting.
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.

What Skills Do You Need as a Patient Care Coordinator?

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. 

Gain Real World Experience at Bryant & Stratton College

Through our partnership network, students are provided with opportunities to actively apply their learnings in real-world settings.

There are several benefits to internship experiences that can impact your career success. Internships can provide insight into the hiring process, help you sharpen your professional skills, and learn to work with confidence in real-world situations.

Plus, internships are a valuable way to prove yourself to potential employers who may want to hire you as a result. You can also start developing a network of peers and mentors you can lean on for guidance and support. If you want to learn how we connect students with local internships that align with their goals, request info today.

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Browse our Healthcare Blogs and Unlock Valuable Insights

For insights into a career in healthcare, please visit the Healthcare Degrees section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about careers in healthcare. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Healthcare Degree Programs page.

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