What Does a Case Coordinator Do?

Case coordinators are responsible for managing the care of individuals who are receiving assistance from government programs or other social services. They help clients access the resources they need to live healthy, productive lives by coordinating their care with a variety of different service providers.

Case coordinators may work directly with clients to ensure that they’re getting the support they need. They may also coordinate between clients and service providers to make sure everyone is on the same page about what needs to be done and when it needs to be done by.

Case Coordinator Job Duties

A case coordinator typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Communicating with other staff members about clients’ progress and needs
• Coordinating care with physicians, social workers, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals
• Screening patients for eligibility and determining their needs based on the assessment conducted by case managers or social workers
• Coordinating services with families, friends, caregivers, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, schools, private companies, and others
• Scheduling appointments with medical providers, mental health counselors, case managers, or other professionals who provide services to clients
• Supervising and training staff members who work directly with clients
• Communicating regularly with clients and their families about their case status and progress in meeting goals
• Preparing reports summarizing each client’s case status, including notes on interactions with the client and recommended action items
• Communicating with clients about how their case is progressing, any changes in their treatment plan, and other information they should know about their case

Case Coordinator Salary & Outlook

Case coordinators’ salaries vary depending on their level of education and experience, the size of the company they work for, and the geographic location of their job.

• Median Annual Salary: $47,000 ($22.6/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $67,500 ($32.45/hour)

The employment of case coordinators is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Demand for case coordinators is expected to increase as healthcare providers continue to hire case managers to coordinate care for patients with complex medical conditions. As the large baby-boom population ages, more people will need help managing their health conditions and coordinating their care.

Related: Case Coordinator Interview Questions and Answers

Case Coordinator Job Requirements

A case coordinator typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most case coordinator positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may accept candidates who have a high school diploma or GED along with relevant work experience. Relevant work experience includes working with clients, community outreach, fundraising and grant writing.

Training & Experience: Many case managers receive on-the-job training when they start a new position. This training may last for a few weeks or a few months, depending on the company and the role. During this training, the case manager will learn about the company’s policies and procedures, the software they use and the clients they serve. They will also learn about the specific duties and responsibilities of the role.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not usually a requirement for a case coordinator, they can be useful in finding a job and negotiating a higher salary.

Case Coordinator Skills

Case coordinators need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: As a case coordinator, you may be required to communicate with a variety of individuals, including clients, supervisors, other case coordinators and other support staff. Effective communication is an important skill for case coordinators to have, as it can help them convey important information to others in a clear and concise manner. It can also help them build positive relationships with others.

Organization: Organization is another skill that can be helpful for case coordinators. This is because they often have many tasks to complete each day. Having good organizational skills can help them keep track of their responsibilities and complete them in a timely manner. It can also help them keep their case files organized so they can easily access the information their clients need.

Time management: Time management is another skill that can be helpful for case coordinators. They often have many responsibilities and tasks to complete each day, so it’s important for them to be able to manage their time well. This can include knowing how long each task may take and planning their day accordingly. It can also mean knowing when it’s appropriate to ask for help from others.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving is another important skill for case managers to have. They often work with people who have a variety of needs and challenges, and they need to be able to think of solutions to help their clients overcome them. For example, a case manager might work with a client who has a mental health condition and a substance abuse problem. The case manager needs to be able to think of ways to help the client overcome both issues.

Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As a case coordinator, you may work with individuals who are experiencing a variety of emotions, including fear, anger, frustration and disappointment. Empathy can help you relate to your clients and help them feel comfortable and supported.

Case Coordinator Work Environment

Case coordinators work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and private practices. They may also work for insurance companies, managed care organizations, or government agencies. Most case coordinators work full time, and some may work evenings or weekends to meet with clients or attend meetings. Case coordinators spend much of their time on the phone and in meetings. They also spend time writing reports, preparing case files, and maintaining client records.

Case Coordinator Trends

Here are three trends influencing how case coordinators work. Case coordinators will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for Better Communication Between Healthcare Providers

The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly complex, which is causing a need for better communication between providers. This is where case coordinators can play a key role, as they are responsible for connecting patients with the right doctors and hospitals.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, case coordinators will need to be able to adapt and understand new systems and procedures. They will also need to be able to communicate effectively with other professionals in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

More Use of Technology

The use of technology in the workplace is growing rapidly, and this is especially true for case coordinators. As more and more businesses move towards using technology to manage their cases, case coordinators will need to learn how to use these tools in order to be successful.

This includes learning how to use software that helps to manage tasks and track time, as well as learning how to use social media to connect with clients. In addition, case coordinators will need to be familiar with other technologies, such as video conferencing, in order to be effective in today’s business world.

Greater Focus on Patient Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction has become an increasingly important factor in the health care industry, as it can have a significant impact on both patient retention and hospital rankings.

Case coordinators are in a unique position to help improve patient satisfaction, as they are often the first point of contact for patients who are looking for information or assistance. By providing excellent customer service and helping patients feel comfortable, case coordinators can help hospitals achieve their goals.

How to Become a Case Coordinator

A career as a case manager can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and help them achieve their goals. You will need to have a caring attitude, be able to listen and communicate effectively, and be patient and understanding. You should also be able to work independently and be organized.

To become a case manager, you will need to have a degree in social work, human services, or a related field. You may also want to take additional training in case management techniques. There are many online courses available that can help you learn more about this profession.

Advancement Prospects

Most advancement for case coordinators will come in the form of increased responsibility and pay. As they gain experience, case coordinators will be trusted with more complex cases and may even be put in charge of other coordinators. With enough experience, case coordinators can move into management positions such as unit manager or program director.

Some case coordinators may choose to specialize in a particular area, such as working with a specific population or type of case. Specialization can lead to advancement opportunities as well, such as becoming a lead coordinator for a specific type of case.

Case coordinators with strong writing skills may be able to move into positions such as grant writer or case worker. Those with strong research skills may be able to move into positions such as research associate or research analyst.

Case Coordinator Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide high-quality social services to individuals and families in need. We are looking for a case coordinator to join our team and help us provide these services. The ideal candidate will have experience working with clients in a social service setting, as well as experience coordinating services between multiple agencies. He or she will be responsible for conducting initial assessments of clients, developing service plans, and coordinating service delivery. The case coordinator will also be responsible for maintaining client files and documenting service delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, case managers, and referral sources
• Schedule client appointments and coordinate with other providers to ensure timely service delivery
• Verify client eligibility for services and benefits, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of program changes and updates
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records in accordance with agency policies and procedures
• Prepare case notes and progress reports in a timely and professional manner
• Assist clients with completing necessary paperwork and applications
• Make referrals to community resources and support clients in accessing available resources
• Advocate on behalf of clients with other agencies and service providers
• Attend trainings and meetings as required
• Participate in quality improvement activities
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Bilingual preferred

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or related field
• 2+ years professional experience working with clients in a human services setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Flexibility and adaptability

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or related field
• 4+ years professional experience working with clients in a human services setting
• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds