Patient Care Coordinator Job Description
Various locations
Job Summary
The role of the Patient Care Coordinator is to collaborate with clients by assessing, facilitating, planning and advocating for health needs on an individual basis. Successful outcomes cannot be achieved without specialized skills and knowledge applied throughout the process. These skills include, but are not limited to, positive relationship building, effective written/verbal communication, ability to affect change, perform critical analysis, plan and organize effectively and promote client/family autonomy. It is crucial for the Patient Care Coordinator to have knowledge of funding resources, services and clinical standards and outcomes.
Patient Care Coordinator Standards of Performance
1. Quality of Care
• Patient Care Coordinator will provide an appropriate, timely and beneficial service to all patients which promotes quality and cost effective health care outcomes
2. Education, Preparation, Certification Requirements
• Registered Medical Assistant
• Professionals that can show proof of Medical Terminology Education
• Foreign Medical Graduated – ECFMG eligible
3. Collaboration
• The Patient Care Coordinator practices in accordance with applicable laws
• The Patient Care Coordinator must be knowledgeable of the legal scope of practice of various healthcare providers
• The Patient Care Coordinator must understand and respect the standards of Confidentiality and HIPAA guidelines
4. Ethical
• The Patient care Coordinator will be guided by ethical principles and will provide service with respect for autonomy, dignity, privacy and rights to the individual
Patient Care Coordinator responsibilities
• Maintain ongoing tracking and appropriate documentation on referrals to promote Team awareness and ensure patient safety. This tracking may use an IT database.
• Ensure complete and accurate registration, including patient demographic and current insurance information.
• Assemble information concerning patient’s clinical background and referral needs. Per referral guidelines, provide appropriate clinical information to specialist.
• Contact review organizations and insurance companies to ensure prior approval requirements are met. Present necessary medical information such as history, diagnosis and prognosis. Provide specific medical information to financial services to maximize reimbursement to the hospital and physicians.
• Review details and expectations about the referral with patients.
• Assist patients in problem solving potential issues related to the health care system, financial or social barriers (e.g., request interpreters as appropriate, transportation services or prescription assistance).
• Be the system navigator and point of contact for patients and families, with patients and families having direct access for asking questions and raising concerns. May assume advocate role on the patient’s behalf with the carrier to ensure approval of the necessary supplies/services for the patient in a timely fashion.
• Identify and utilize cultural and community resources. Establish and maintain relationships with identified service providers.
• Ensure that referrals are addressed in a timely manner.
• Remind patients of scheduled appointments via mail or phone.
• Ensure that patient’s primary care chart is up to date with information on specialist consults, hospitalizations, ER visits and community organization related to their health.
Patient Care Coordinator Skills
• High school diploma, sometimes combined with medical assistant certification
• Strong customer service focus
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Teamwork orientation
• Organized and able to manage competing priorities
• Good judgment
• Resourcefulness in problem solving
• Able to take and follow through with delegated tasks and accountability
• Bilingual skills preferred (English/Spanish)
