Program Coordinator Job Description

Do you have strong leadership skills? Are you self-motivated with the ability to work under pressure? Then becoming a program coordinator may be the right fit for you!

What Does a Program Coordinator Do?

A program coordinator is an employee who plans, coordinates, and oversees employees for various programs or projects for their employer. They are responsible for maintaining budget and records pertaining to the program expenditures, implementing policies and procedures, and organizing the activities and agenda for the program.

Program Coordinator Duties & Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of Program Coordinators vary to some degree from one employer to another, as well as the different environments where your duties are performed. However, there are some general administrative and program management tasks that lay at the core, regardless. These include:

• Assist with planning and coordination of programs and their activities
• Monitor implementation of program policies and practices
• Work to keep programs on schedule, within stated budgets and functioning smoothly
• Support program growth and development as necessary
• Coordinate program communications
• Manage staff work assignments, workloads and work schedules
• Administer or oversee fund raising operations for programs as well as community outreach
• Oversee the program budget, including tracking billing, payments and other financial transactions
• Coordinate interactions/relationships between staff, clients, administrators and all other program stakeholders
• Schedule and organize program-related meetings and events
• Oversee the use of technology for program operations, such as video conferencing technology, presentation software and other communications technologies, for instance
• Create and maintain program records, reports, presentations and proposals
• Facilitate positive relations between the program team, the public, the media. other departments within the organization, and all other involved parties.
• Manage marketing and communications (media relations, social media)

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Common Employment Settings

Program Coordinators work in a wide variety of employment settings. These professionals are most commonly found in healthcare, higher education, and non-profit organizations. Program Coordinators who work within the healthcare industry may be employed in hospitals, public health agencies, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, among many other settings. Non-profit agencies that employ Program Coordinators include social services organizations, such as rehab centers, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters and many others. Educational employers typically include colleges and universities, as well as public and private K-12 schools and pre-schools.

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide employment growth projections specifically for Program Coordinator positions. However, job growth projections are provided for the occupational areas in which these workers are commonly employed. For instance:

Employment in the healthcare field is, according to the agency, expected to increase by 18 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

Employment in the community and social services field is expected to rise by 14 percent between 2016 and 2026, a rate that is faster than the average for all occupations.

Employment in the education, training and library occupations field is expected to rise by 9 percent between 2016 and 2026, a rate that is about average as compared to all occupations.

Across all industries and applications, better than average growth is to be expected. Typically, increased employment means increased demand for workers to fill administrative and support jobs, including Program Coordinator positions.

While this information can provide some idea of the career-building potential of a job or occupational field, 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. This data is not to be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment in this or any other occupational field.

Becoming a Program Coordinator: Educational Requirements

Becoming a Program Coordinator means earning a degree, since most employers expect these workers to have a college level education in their field and not just a high school diploma. For aspiring Program Coordinators that wish to ply their trade in the fast-growing healthcare or health and human services field, earning an associate degree in Health Services Administration with Bryant & Stratton College is a great place to begin in pursuing their career path. If you wish to pursue further education, some will earn a bachelor's degree in business administration or another related field.

What Can I Do with an Associate Degree in Health Services Administration?

Bryant & Stratton’s Health Services Administration associate degree program can provide you with the foundation of skills and knowledge you will need to pursue a career as a Program Coordinator. It also conveys the skills and knowledge necessary to take on many other business and administrative roles throughout the health and human services industries.

This degree program offers a well-rounded education in business and administrative skills, preparing students to handle tasks that include finances and payroll, administrative coordination, staff hiring and management, among many others. It also offers a balanced education in many areas specific to the health and human services fields, preparing graduates with the proper expertise to work effectively in these employment settings.

Additional Training/Requirements

Many employers prefer to hire Program Coordinator candidates who have significant work experience in the field. This typically means a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a Program Coordinator position for another employer/organization or a few years of experience in a closely related administrative/managerial/supervisory role.

Other qualifications that most employers value in candidates for Program Coordinator positions include excellent problem-solving skills, solid customer service, interpersonal skills, as well as written and verbal communication skills. Solid technological skills are also essential to many employers in this field, with most expecting candidates to have a good working knowledge of and experience with spreadsheet, scheduling, office management and accounting software, among others.

For more insights into the Program Coordinator field, please visit the Healthcare Degrees section of the Bryant & Stratton College blog. By exploring the blog and our website, career-minded people can find a great deal of helpful information to provide them with the insights they need to plan a career path as a Program Coordinator or in any other field that sparks their interest.