Care Coordination Assistant

Career Guide
A Care Coordination Assistant supports patients and care teams by organizing appointments, tracking referrals, sharing updates, and helping ensure care plans are followed. The role focuses on communication, scheduling, and documentation so patients receive timely services and fewer gaps in care.

Key Responsibilities

  • Schedule patient appointments and follow-up visits
  • Coordinate referrals with clinics, specialists, and community providers
  • Confirm insurance details and authorization requirements
  • Prepare patient paperwork and collect required forms
  • Update patient records in the electronic health record system
  • Communicate care plan updates to patients and care team members
  • Track care milestones such as tests, lab results, and discharge follow-ups
  • Arrange transportation and other non-medical support when needed
  • Support patient outreach calls and reminder messages
  • Escalate urgent issues to nurses or care managers

Top Skills for Success

Patient Communication
Active Listening
Organization
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Empathy
Care Coordination
Scheduling
Referral Management
Documentation
Electronic Health Record Navigation
Privacy Compliance

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Care Coordinator
Patient Navigator
Medical Office Manager
Referral Coordinator
Health Unit Coordinator
Transition Opportunities
Case Management Assistant
Population Health Coordinator
Clinical Administrative Specialist
Insurance Verification Specialist
Patient Access Specialist

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
Electronic Health Record ProficiencyInsurance Authorization KnowledgeCare Plan TrackingDe-escalationMedical TerminologyQuality Improvement BasicsProfessional Phone Etiquette
Development SuggestionsPractice structured documentation, learn common referral and authorization steps, and build confidence using electronic health records through training modules or supervised practice. Ask to shadow a care coordinator to understand how care plans are tracked from start to finish.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 35,000 to 42,000
Mid LevelUSD 42,000 to 52,000
Senior LevelUSD 52,000 to 62,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, driven by an aging population, higher chronic care needs, and healthcare organizations focusing on better follow-up and reduced hospital readmissions.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
Kaiser PermanenteHCA HealthcareCommonSpirit HealthAscensionTenet HealthcareProvidenceUnitedHealth GroupCVS HealthHumanaCigna
Industry Sectors
Hospitals and Health SystemsPrimary Care ClinicsSpecialty ClinicsCommunity Health CentersHealth Insurance ProvidersHome Health ProvidersBehavioral Health OrganizationsGovernment Health Services

Recommended Next Steps

1
Update your resume with examples of scheduling volume, referral follow-through, and patient outreach
2
Complete training on electronic health record basics through employer modules or local programs
3
Learn core medical terminology to improve accuracy in documentation and calls
4
Build a simple tracking system for referrals and follow-ups using a spreadsheet and clear status labels
5
Prepare interview stories that show organization, empathy, and handling sensitive information
6
Connect with care coordinators or patient navigators to learn daily workflows and expectations