Hire Care Coordinators
Care coordinators connect different members of the healthcare team to ensure smooth collaboration in order to provide the best healthcare to each patient.
The first step in hiring a care coordinator is creating a compelling job post. It should be clear, concise, and detailed. Are you looking for candidates who live in a specific area? What is the schedule? Is prior experience required? Carefully outline the responsibilities as well as requirements. These details will help candidates picture themselves working in your facility or institution.
Additionally, care coordinators are also alternatively referred to as “patient care coordinators” and “healthcare coordinators.” It may help if the job description also includes these terms to widen the selection pool so that results appear more easily in online hiring platforms.
Aside from general job boards, it is best for hiring managers to post job announcements on healthcare-specific job boards, online groups, and in community groups as well. Getting referrals from other medical professionals and employees themselves is a helpful way to source candidates. Your staff may already know someone with relevant experience, so let them know about the job opening.
Care Coordinator Responsibilities
In caring for a patient, it is common to have different healthcare professionals, doctors, and counselors involved in managing the patient’s needs. A care coordinator acts as a liaison between a patient and the members of their interdisciplinary team.
Care coordinators orient patients and families, find out about their health concerns, and offer helpful information about their treatment plan, medication, and procedures. Similarly, they coordinate with all the members of the interdisciplinary team about the patient’s care plan and ensure that all appointments, schedules, and procedures are followed. Care coordinators assist patients in securing funding and resources for medical care if needed.
To stay up to date with new trends and developments in the healthcare field, care coordinators attend relevant training, seminars, and courses.
Additionally, the care coordinators are responsible for regularly checking in on the patient, asking for feedback, and monitoring the delivery of care. Documenting the patient’s progress and fulfillment of the care plan is an important part of the job. Depending on the evaluation, the care coordinator may adjust the care plan as needed to achieve the desired patient outcome.
Lastly, care coordinators treat patients with respect, compassion, and empathy. They uphold patient confidentiality and professionalism at all times and follow healthcare laws and regulations.
Care Coordinator Skills and Qualifications
An ideal candidate is a person who is compassionate, trustworthy, and professional. Candidates must have excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and customer service skills. Moreover, strong communication skills are a must as care coordinators interact closely with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.
To qualify as a care coordinator, a candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. Previous work experience in care coordination or a similar role is typically required. Lastly, candidates must be proficient in Microsoft and Google office systems.
Care coordinators act as the point person for patients and provide them with much-needed support and guidance on their road to health and a full recovery.
