What is a health care coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Jamie Rauscher RVT
introduction image

A health care coordinator manages the medical care of patients. They act as a liaison between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring that patients receive the care they need. Health care coordinators develop care plans, coordinate appointments, manage medications, and monitor progress. They also communicate with insurance companies and professionals to deliver the best possible care. Health care coordinators work in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities. The role requires attention to detail and communication.

What general advice would you give to a Health Care Coordinator?

J

Jamie Rauscher RVTJamie Rauscher RVT LinkedIn Profile

Medical Manager, Animal Hospital of Towne Lake and Cat Clinic of Woodstock

I would advise new graduates to look at their career as a whole. Do not get bogged down in the negativity of so many others. You will be told everything from you cannot survive on your own salary, the pay is terrible, clients are ungrateful, you will become burnt out within the first 5 years, etc. All that is part of a negative mindset. I have been in the field for 25 years. I love it. I have earned the salary I make due to hard work and determination. I am constantly looking for ways to grow myself, so I will be able to develop my career into what I am physically able to do, as well as mentally as I age. I can help to support my family, even if I was not able to have my husband's income to add in, I would be able to take care of myself and my son with no problem.
ScoreHealth Care CoordinatorUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,411

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
10.0

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 9.00%

Black or African American 10.10%

Hispanic or Latino 9.78%

Unknown 4.32%

White 66.36%

Gender

female 84.01%

male 15.99%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress Level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.8

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Health Care Coordinator?

Pros

  • Varied and challenging work

  • Potential for career advancement

  • Competitive salary and benefits

  • Chance to work in a growing field

  • Possibility for flexible scheduling

Cons

  • Long and irregular hours

  • Difficult work-life balance

  • Heavy workload and fast-paced environment

  • Potential for burnout

  • High level of accountability

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Health Care Coordinator career paths

Key steps to become a health care coordinator

  1. Explore health care coordinator education requirements

    Most common health care coordinator degrees

    Bachelor's

    51.7 %

    Associate

    21.4 %

    Master's

    14.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific health care coordinator skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients17.27%
    Social Work10.89%
    Home Health10.52%
    Mental Health6.47%
    Behavioral Health6.14%
  3. Complete relevant health care coordinator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New health care coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a health care coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real health care coordinator resumes.
  4. Gain additional health care coordinator certifications

    Health care coordinator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific health care coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for health care coordinators include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research health care coordinator duties and responsibilities

    • Manage client accounts making sure they are up to date and within Medicare guidelines.
    • Manage caseload by providing care coordination to individuals with a primary intellectual/developmental disability diagnosis all of whom receive community-base waiver services.
    • Expand use of Medicare and Medicaid benefits for services not previously utilize including researching and contracting with outside vendors.
    • Establish patient referral sources from business relationships and educate facility staff to identify patients that would benefit from home health services.
  6. Prepare your health care coordinator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your health care coordinator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a health care coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Health Care Coordinator Resume templates

    Build a professional Health Care Coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Health Care Coordinator resume.
    Health Care Coordinator Resume
    Health Care Coordinator Resume
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    Health Care Coordinator Resume
    Health Care Coordinator Resume
  7. Apply for health care coordinator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a health care coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Health Care Coordinator Job

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Are you a Health Care Coordinator?

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Average health care coordinator salary

The average Health Care Coordinator salary in the United States is $43,411 per year or $21 per hour. Health care coordinator salaries range between $32,000 and $57,000 per year.

Average Health Care Coordinator Salary
$43,411 Yearly
$20.87 hourly

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How do health care coordinators rate their job?

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Health Care Coordinator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2023
Cons

It can be stressful, with a heavy workload. Talking to patients who are in crisis or who are displeased with services can be emotionally draining.


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Gaining valued insurance knowledge and expertise.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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