Care Coordinators & Managers
Working as the point person between the patient/client and physicians, nurses, social workers, specialists, and others involved in a person’s care.
This career is right for you, if..
Overview
There are many definitions for each, and they often overlap. There is no universal definition that everyone agrees on, but here are two definitions that give a basic overview:
Care coordination is the process of organizing patient/client care between two or more participants involved in a person’s care (such as health care providers, social service providers, payers) and communicating information with/to everyone involved – including the patient/client – to help ensure safe, appropriate, and effective care.
Job titles include:
- Care Coordinator
- Community Care Coordinator
- Patient Care Coordinator
- Clinical Care Coordinator
Care management is a process and the related activities that a health care team may use in partnership with patients/clients to manage a person’s medical/mental/behavioral health conditions more effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Job titles include:
- Care Manager
- Nurse Care Manager
- Complex Care Manager
- Health Home Care Manager
- Case Manager
- RN Case Manager
There are many different job titles, and care coordinators (CC) and care managers (CM) often have similar roles. For example, they both:
- Work one-on-one with patients/clients and family members.
- May assist patients/clients who have chronic conditions.
- May serve as the point person between the patient/client and physicians, nurses, social workers, specialists, and others involved in the person’s care.
You could say that care coordinators and care managers are the hub in the wheel!
One key difference in their roles is that care coordinators usually focus more on coordination of efforts and bridging social care with clinical care. Care managers tend to focus more on chronic disease management, which may involve clinical decision-making. Care managers often (but not always) need clinical degrees/backgrounds, such as registered nurse, LPN, or social worker.
Often, the job title depends on the setting (for example, medical versus behavioral health versus social service), the specific employer, and the location (job titles can vary by state or region within a state).
What they do
CCs and CMs work directly with patients/clients/individuals and/or family members or caregivers to provide a wide variety of functions, such as:
- Assess the individual’s medical, behavioral, and functional needs
- Assess social needs (such as transportation, food, housing)
- Help individuals to determine individualized goals
- Develop personalized, patient/client-centered care plans
- Provide person-centered services that aim to empower clients rather than enable them
- Advocate for clients to assist with barriers to care
- Communicate and collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other health care team members, social service agencies, and others involved with the patient’s/client’s care
- Serve as the point person on the healthcare team to coordinate the individual’s care
- Help patients/clients to navigate the health care system to connect with and access services and supports, including referrals into chronic disease self-management programs when applicable
- Coordinate and support transitions of care (such as when a patient goes from the hospital to their home)
- Monitor patient/client progress
- Provide education and instruction to patients/clients
- Conduct regular follow-up
- Document and maintain records of all activitiesConduct regular follow-up
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, and listening)
- Build positive relationships
- Work in the communities they serve
Where they work
Care managers and care coordinators work in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Health centers and clinics
- Physician offices
- Behavioral health care providers
- Outpatient facilities
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Health Homes
- Patient/client homes
- Care management agencies
Find a Local Employer
Find Care Coordinator/Care Manager employers near your and connect with them to learn about their openings.
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Helpful Resources
The following resources are for people interested in becoming a Care Coordinator or Care Manager.
Care Manager Information Session
- 08/22/2024 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- 6153
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