Behavioral Health Care Coordinator
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Complete intake and needs assessments to understand symptoms, risks, and support needs
- Create care plans with clear goals, timelines, and follow-up steps
- Connect people to therapists, psychiatrists, treatment programs, and support groups
- Coordinate appointments, referrals, authorizations, and transfers of care
- Support medication adherence by reinforcing treatment instructions and follow-up needs
- Monitor progress through regular check-ins and update the care plan as needed
- Identify safety concerns and follow escalation steps for urgent behavioral health needs
- Educate members or families on available services and how to use benefits
- Document interactions accurately in the care management system
- Collaborate with clinical teams and community partners to close gaps in care
- Address practical barriers such as transportation, housing instability, and food access
- Track outcomes and report on engagement, follow-up rates, and service use
Top Skills for Success
Empathy
Active Listening
Clear Communication
De-escalation
Time Management
Documentation
Care Planning
Care Coordination
Referral Management
Behavioral Health Screening
Crisis Triage
Case Management Software
Electronic Health Records
Health Insurance Benefits Knowledge
Community Resource Navigation
Privacy Compliance
Motivational Interviewing
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Senior Behavioral Health Care Coordinator
Behavioral Health Case Manager
Behavioral Health Utilization Review Specialist
Quality Improvement Coordinator
Care Management Team Lead
Transition Opportunities
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed Professional Counselor
Behavioral Health Program Manager
Population Health Manager
Clinical Operations Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Motivational InterviewingCrisis TriageBehavioral Health ScreeningCare PlanningHealth Insurance Benefits KnowledgeDocumentationCommunity Resource NavigationCase Management SoftwarePrivacy Compliance
Development SuggestionsBuild competency through role-play and supervised practice, complete short trainings in motivational interviewing and crisis response, and ask for a documentation review process early on. Create a local resource list, learn benefit basics from internal guides, and shadow experienced coordinators to understand workflows and escalation steps.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 42,000 to 55,000
Mid LevelUSD 55,000 to 72,000
Senior LevelUSD 72,000 to 90,000
Growth Trend
Demand is strong and growing due to expanded mental health coverage, increased use of care management programs, and a continued focus on access to behavioral health services. Pay varies widely based on credentials, setting, and region.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
UnitedHealth GroupOptumCVS HealthAetnaElevance HealthKaiser PermanenteHumanaCenteneCignaBlue Cross Blue Shield plansState and county health departmentsCommunity mental health centersHospital systemsFederally qualified health centers
Industry Sectors
Health insuranceManaged careHospitals and health systemsCommunity mental health servicesSubstance use treatment programsPrimary care and integrated care clinicsTelehealth behavioral health providersGovernment and public health
Recommended Next Steps
1
Update your resume to highlight care coordination outcomes such as appointment follow-through and engagement rates2
Prepare examples that show de-escalation, boundary setting, and handling missed appointments3
Take a short course in Motivational Interviewing and apply it in practice with structured scripts4
Strengthen documentation habits by using clear, objective, and timely notes5
Build a curated directory of local behavioral health providers and community resources6
Learn the basics of eligibility, prior authorization, and referral rules used in your target setting7
If aligned with your goals, map a path toward a relevant license or certification required for advanced roles