A nurse care coordinator helps to work out all the kinks in a patient’s care from start to finish. Often, healthcare providers of all kinds only see a patient in one small sliver of their health experience, but a nurse care coordinator walks a patient through it all. From home to hospital, hospital to rehab facility, or hospital to home, nurse care coordinators direct patient care from a high level.
Where Do Nurse Care Coordinators Work?
Nurse care coordinators can work in any facility that houses patients, but can also work for doctor’s offices, insurance companies, or at home. Nurse care coordinators in the hospital may be required to work onsite. They may need to be available in person for care plan conferences, family meetings, face-to-face collaboration, and patient and family education.
Insurance company nurse care coordinators and those who work for private practices may be asked to work in the office, but could also work a hybrid home-office schedule. Some companies allow their nurse care coordinators to work completely from home.
A transitional nurse care coordinator may need to visit patients in the hospital before discharge, and at home once they are released. This allows them to educate the patient on what to expect when they go home, and then make sure they’re settling in okay once they get there. Home visits make up an important part of transitional patient care.
Some transitional nurse care coordinators may need to take vitals or complete other clinical tasks. But home visits are also a good opportunity to check the patient’s medications and make sure their home environment is conducive to healing and recovery.
Nurse care coordinators work normal business hours. Some hospitals will schedule one or two over the weekend for discharges, but most care coordination is done during the week. If you work in home health, some companies may ask you to take weekend calls from patients, while others will direct them to another resource.
Hospitals, nursing facilities, or primary care offices may ask their nurse care coordinators to work onsite, but more and more health companies are offering the opportunity to work from home. Some nurse care coordination jobs require patient home visits, and others ask for a hybrid schedule.
What Does a Nurse Care Coordinator Do?
A nurse care coordinator’s job description depends on who they work for. In a hospital, a nurse care coordinator may mostly set up transfers to skilled nursing facilities and rehabs, or arrange home care services for a patient being discharged home. Here are some of the more common nurse care coordinator tasks:
Arrange home health care visits
Assess the home situation for discharge
Call patients for follow-up after discharge
Coordinate with physicians, nurses, and social workers
Educate patients and their families
Facilitate transfers to other health facilities
Visit patients at home
They are often the point of contact for patients and their families as they transition between levels of care, and nurse care coordinators play a big role in patient education. A nurse care coordinator often talks on the phone during the day, and works with the entire healthcare team to ensure patients’ needs are met and nothing falls through the cracks. If a nurse care coordinator works for an insurance company, they may spend their entire day on the phone, contacting patients about their needs and care.
The transitional care coordinator position has grown in the last decade since Medicare stopped reimbursing hospitals for readmissions in less than 30 days after discharge. Transitional nurse care coordinators follow up frequently with patients after discharge to make sure they have their meds, transportation to follow-up appointments, and are generally safe at home.
How Do I Become a Nurse Care Coordinator?
Prospective nurse care coordinators must enroll in a nursing program at an accredited college. When the goal is nurse care coordination, an employer will expect nurses to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Most BSN programs require four years of study, but some programs offer accelerated options in which students may earn their BSN in as little as a year.
Once a nurse receives a BSN, they will need to take the RN licensing exam: the NCLEX-RN, which is a standardized test that demonstrates a nurse’s knowledge and capability to work in their field. Once a nurse passes the NCLEX, they may apply for a license in the state where they want to work. Different states may require slightly different documentation, but normally these include college transcripts, a federal background check, proof of passing the NCLEX, and a fee.
Most care coordination positions will require at least two or three years of experience as a practicing nurse before applying. This experience prepares a nurse for the intricate challenges they will face as a nurse care coordinator.
Nurse care coordinators can get certified in this specialty. The American Association of Managed Care Nurses offers managed care courses and Certified Managed Care Nurse (CMCN) exam. Their exam costs $250 and certification renewal costs $55. This certification requires nurses to obtain 25 continuing education credits every three years.
The American Nurses Association, or ANA, only offers renewals for their Nursing Case Management Certification. The exam costs $275 for non-members and $195 for ANA members. This certification can be renewed every five years.
How Much Does a Nurse Care Coordinator Make Per Year?
Nurse care coordinators are often compensated at a higher rate than staff nurses. Their average annual salary is $79,580. This number can depend on the type of facility or company that employs them and their state of licensure. For example, in California, the mean salary is $87,777, while in Alabama it is $73,110. Salaries can go as high as almost $100,000 annually, but the average wage will stay closer to $80,000 per year.
The top-paying city for nurse care coordinators is San Francisco, CA. Here are a handful of other high-paying cities:
A nurse care coordinator’s salary will also depend on experience, certifications, and education level. A nurse care coordinator with a master’s degree, 10 years of care coordination experience, and a care coordination & transition management certification will earn more than a nurse without these accolades.
Why Should I Be a Nurse Care Coordinator?
Nurse care coordinators can improve patient outcomes, prevent hospital readmissions, lower healthcare costs, and provide continuous care for patients as they navigate the health system. They can help patients get better access to care by arranging transportation and blocking any cracks they may otherwise fall through.
Nurses who thrive on organization may enjoy the challenges of nurse care coordination. The schedule is usually flexible, and more and more care coordinators have been able to work remotely. Additionally, nurse care coordinators are in high demand. America’s aging population and more complex medical needs will only drive up the need for this type of nurse.
Additional Resources About Becoming a Nurse Care Coordinator
To learn more about becoming a nurse care coordinator, these websites offer additional resources:
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