There are many different care coordinator roles, and each works to make sure the entire addiction treatment process goes smoothly for all involved.
About Addiction Specialists
Addiction treatment facilities are made up of many moving parts. From patient intake and assessment to day-to-day operations, keeping a facility running smoothly requires a variety of staff members who specialize in specific administrative roles. The best way to keep a facility efficient is to adopt a system of coordinated care.
Coordinated care helps reduce confusion in what can otherwise be a complicated health care system. Delegating each part of the addiction treatment process to certain coordinators makes it so no one department is stretching itself too thin. The result is a highly organized system that keeps vital information and records exactly where they need to be.
Through an organized system of coordinated care, physicians can easily access information, which allows patients to transition through treatment processes more easily. For a patient, this makes for more effective treatment, a smoother recovery journey and a lower chance of stressful interactions with staff.
Examples of Care Coordinators
To ensure no one is carrying too much of the load, many care coordinators are located within each treatment facility. While the specific coordinators may vary from one facility to another, the following are examples of the most common types you’ll find in a treatment center.
The clinical coordinator, or physician coordinator, oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of an addiction treatment facility. Individuals in this role ensure that the clinic and its physicians are following institutional policies and guidelines while working to enforce them. They may also assist with hiring processes, staff evaluations and facility budgeting tasks.
The physician services coordinator helps manage the recruitment and onboarding processes of physicians and other medical staff members. After a physician is hired, the coordinator continues as a liaison between the physician and treatment facility. They also work to build relationships with local hospitals and clinics to support the referral of patients to specialized addiction treatment facilities.
At a base level, the intake coordinator is in charge of handling patient appointments and incoming patients’ information. This may include securing payment options, checking insurance coverage, recording personal information, entering patient data and similar tasks. In some facilities, however, the intake coordinator is also tasked with interviewing incoming patients and determining what type of care they need. As part of this extended role, they may ask about drug history, health history and past treatment, which is recorded and given to the patient care coordinator to begin creating a care plan.
The patient care coordinator is in charge of assessing the treatment needs of each patient. They may screen and interview the patient to find out about their drug and health history as well as any past treatment they’ve attended. The patient care coordinator then creates a treatment plan, including referrals for treatment modalities and a general timeline, and communicates the plan with medical staff and addiction specialists.
The therapeutic activities coordinator, also known as a recreational therapy coordinator, is in charge of creating, managing, and monitoring patients’ various activities during treatment. This may include therapeutic activities like art, music or exercise therapy, or providing social assistance to help patients re-enter their daily lives after treatment. The coordinator’s goal is to help patients remain independent throughout long-term recovery, whether physically, socially or emotionally.
What Are Some Important Skills and Qualities for Care Coordinators?
Aside from related experience and education, the most important skills and qualities needed for most care coordinator roles include:
- The ability to work as part of a team
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Excellent leadership abilities
- The ability to use and manage technology processes, such as data entry and financial programs
- The ability to empathize with patients struggling with substance use disorders and other co-occurring conditions
How To Pursue a Career in Care Coordination
Most care coordinator roles require a bachelor’s degree and related health care or administrative experience. However, some facilities may hire candidates with an associate’s degree, certification or years of experience in lieu of education.
A good path to becoming a care coordinator is to attend a bachelor’s degree program related to medical, business or health care administration. Coursework may include classes in health care law, long-term care, medical terminology and health information systems. Toward the end of their program, students can apply for internship roles to begin building work experience. Many facilities require at least two years of health care-related experience, which can be attained through internships during college or entry-level positions after graduation.
It can also be beneficial to complete a certification program after receiving a bachelor’s degree. This helps show that a candidate has proficient knowledge of medical coaching, advocacy, laws, ethics, insurance, care goals and similar items. A well-rounded resume typically includes a bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience and certification.
Available Positions at The Recovery Village
The Recovery Village has several facilities throughout the United States, and we are always looking to add new professionals to our team of industry-leading experts. In addition to positions at one of our facilities, jobs are also available nationally through our telehealth platform. Our evidence-based approach to addiction treatment has made us one of the first organizations to be designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Substance Use Treatment. We are accredited by The Joint Commission, and our staff collectively holds over 3,000 professional credentials.
Careers
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Betterteam. “Clinical Coordinator Job Description.” May 16, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2020.
Betterteam. “Physician Liaison Job Description.” February 24, 2020. Accessed September 30, 2020.
Scottsdale, Brenda. “Intake Coordinator Counseling Job Description.” Chron. Accessed September 30, 2020.
HealthCare Support. “Patient Care Coordinator.” Accessed September 30, 2020.
Truity. “Recreational Therapist.” Accessed September 30, 2020.
Study. “Become a Care Coordinator: Education and Career Roadmap.” July 10, 2020. Accessed September 30, 2020.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.