Patient Care Coordinator

Care CoordinatorEmployer paid benefits - Medical, Dental, and Vision! Wage Compensation - Min: $ 24.98 Max: $ 37.18The Care Coordinator is an essential member of the outpatient care team responsible for coordinating and managing patient care services across the continuum. Working in partnership with providers, patients, families, and community resources, the Care Coordinator assesses patient needs, develops care plans, facilitates authorization, ensures timely follow-up, and provides health education and advocacy. This role ensures effective communication, continuity of care, and a patient centered approach to support better health outcomes, particularly for patients with complex medical, behavioral, or socioeconomic needs. In addition to administrative coordination duties, the Care Coordinator may assist with direct patient care tasks as needed (e.g., nursing visits, rooming, vitals), especially during staff shortages. This hybrid role requires strong clinical knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment.ResponsibilitiesEssential Job Functions:Care Coordination & Planning: Collaborates with providers, patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams to create, implement, and monitor individualized care plans. Coordinates referrals, tests, and follow-up appointments to support timely and appropriate care. Tracks care plan goals and documents progress in the electronic health record (EHR).Patient Communication & Support: Serves as a point of contact for patients and families regarding treatment plans, follow-ups, referrals, and services. Facilitates health education and resource navigation to promote understanding and patient engagement. Assists with MyChart setup, appointment reminders, and follow-through on care gaps.Authorization & Resource Coordination: Obtains prior authorizations for medications, procedures, and equipment in collaboration with providers and insurance payors. Schedules for specialist appointments and secures required documentation or records from external facilities. Research and connect patients with scarce or community-based services as needed.Documentation & Communication: Accurately documents interactions, care coordination steps, and clinical updates in the patient chart (EHR). Communicates consistently with all members of the care team to ensure timely updates and care plan alignment. Responds to patient calls, provider messages, pharmacy/insurance inquiries, and task assignments in a timely manner.Clinical Support (As Needed): Assists with back-office duties during staffing shortages (e.g., rooming, vitals, immunizations, blood pressure checks). Supports walk-in nursing visits such as injections, wound checks, or weight assessments under clinical guidance.Team Collaboration & Quality Improvement: Participates in staff huddles, care team meetings, and quality initiatives to support clinic goals. Promotes a culture of teamwork, respect, and patient-centered care. Provides input on process improvements for care coordination and patient access.Other Duties: Assists with clerical and administrative tasks related to patient care coordination. Performs other duties as assigned by the Practice Manager or Clinic Supervisor. May be required to float across departments or work evenings/weekends based on patient or clinic needs.QualificationsEducation Required: High school diploma or equivalent. Preferred: Medical Assistant certification, LPN license, or formal training in care coordination, community health worker, or a healthcare-related field.Licenses/certifications/registrations Required: BLS certification. Preferred: MA or LPN credential preferred but not required.Experience Required: Clinical experience in a medical office or outpatient care setting. Experience working with patient care plans, authorizations, or community health resources Preferred: Knowledge of population health and/or care coordination workflows. Familiarity with electronic medical records (Epic preferred).Other Skills and Knowledge: Knowledge of medical terminology, healthcare systems, and insurance authorization processes. Proficient in use of computers, multi-line phones, and standard office equipment. Effective communication and interpersonal skills with diverse patients. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple patients and tasks simultaneously. Ability to interpret clinical care plans and relay information to patients in layman's terms. Familiarity with community health resources, social determinants of health, and patient education tools.Personal Traits and Aptitudes: Compassionate and patient-centered approach. Demonstrates empathy, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism. Self-motivated, dependable, and able to work independently and collaboratively. Maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA regulations. Displays emotional resilience and composure in a fast-paced clinic setting.Physical Requirements: The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The position requires sufficient auditory ability to detect and respond to various sounds, including patient alarms and verbal communication. Clear and effective communication is essential, as is the ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Visual acuity is necessary for observing patient conditions, reading documentation and monitors, and distinguishing colors for clinical purposes, such as identifying medications or safety indicators. Tactile perception is also important for assessing physical characteristics such as temperature, size, shape, or texture during patient care. Motor coordination is required for reaching, grasping, handling, and performing fine motor tasks necessary for the use of medical equipment and procedures. The position also involves occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling when assisting patients or accessing equipment. Walking and standing are typically continuous throughout the shift. The role requires the ability to lift to 50 pounds independently and involves frequent pushing, pulling, carrying, or repositioning of objects or patients weighing up to 25 pounds. There may also be occasional lifting or transferring of individuals weighing over 100 pounds, with the expectation that appropriate lifting techniques, mechanical aids, or team assistance will be used to ensure safety. May to sit for long periods of time.Working Conditions: This position is performed primarily in an indoor healthcare environment, such as a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility. While the work setting is protected from outdoor weather conditions, it may be subject to variable indoor temperatures. The role involves frequent exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, hazardous materials, and medical equipment, with the expectation that all staff follow appropriate safety protocols and utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. The health care environment can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances, including high-pressure or emergency situations. The work setting also involves multiple simultaneous demands and varying levels of noise due to medical equipment, staff activity, and patient needs. Good Shepherd Health Care System