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Care Coordinator: Chronically Ill Populations Program

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Program Info

  • Length Of Study:
    6 months, with up to 12 months to complete the program
  • Career Level:
    Experience and credential required
  • Online Type:
    Asynchronous, self-directed learning
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About

A care coordinator, also known as a patient care coordinator, patient navigator, or resident care coordinator, helps patients through the complex elements of healthcare. If you are an excellent communicator, a good listener, and willing to empathize with your patient, this growing allied healthcare field is for you.

 The care coordinator is responsible for managing and coordinating the details of a patient’s care and serves as the connection between the patient and the medical and administrative staff. Patient care coordinators provide education about medications, care instructions, and diagnoses so patients and their families can make informed health care decisions. Care coordinators understand patient needs and continue to work with patients after they are discharged from the hospital. Care coordinators may assist with follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and obtaining special equipment or therapy needed in the home.
 
Earning a certificate as a care coordinator is a great way to advance your career. The certificate also provides flexible upskilling opportunities for existing credentialed healthcare workers (see minimum qualifications).

Length of Study

6 months, with up to 12 months to complete the program

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  1. Identify appropriate resources and case management models to support chronically ill patient’s health and needs and provide optimal support.
  2. Apply treatment plans, associated resources, and client engagement principles based on the client’s condition and circumstances to provide optimal support.
  3. Apply appropriate foundational assessment practices and intervention techniques for unique for chronically ill populations to enable optimal outcomes.
  4. Identify reliable sources of empirical data and research to inform ethical and legal constraints regarding scope of practice to ensure patient safety and prevent errors.
  5. Apply technology and patient information security practices for care coordination and case management to ensure privacy and security of patient information.
  6. Identify the components of effective team formation and performance given a patient’s specific needs.
  7. Identify basic healthcare financial policies and insurance regulations to ensure the protection of the healthcare organization, the protection of the patient, and provide optimal patient care.
  8. Identify concepts and services associated with chronic illness.
  9. Differentiate the characteristics and processes of acquiring certificates and credentials for healthcare coordination.

Online Type

Asynchronous, self-directed learning

Occupation

Care coordinator: chronically ill populations

Career Level

Experience and credential required

Student Support

Coaching will be available to students through their Futuro Health Coach.

Student Cost

  • In recognition of the impact of the pandemic on our communities, Futuro Health is waiving tuition fees for all programs in 2021.
  • Non-refundable registration fee: $100 per certificate program
  • You have the option to join SEIU-UHW's Healthcare Justice Division to receive added benefits. There is a $20 per month fee if interested, waived for current SEIU-UHW members.

Fast Facts

Job Outlook

Median annual wage, U.S. (2019) : $35,060 per year, $16.85 per hour

Median annual wage, California (2019) : $44,020 per year, $21.16 per hour

Employment for this occupation is projected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028.

A growing elderly population and rising demand for social services are expected to drive demand for these roles.

Work Environment

Hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home

Duties

A care coordinator’s duty is to monitor and coordinate patients' treatment plans, educate them about their health condition, connect them with health care providers, and evaluate their progress


Typical duties may include:

  • Patient screening and scheduling.
  • Communicating with the patient and care team.
  • Meeting with patients and family members to inform and educate them on the patient’s condition and plan of care.
  • Coordinating with insurance carriers.
  • Reviewing medication inventory and processing pharmacy orders.
  • Performing patient case management tasks.
  • Locating and providing community resources to patients and their family members.

Enrollment

Minimum Qualifications

  • Have 3+ years of experience in your current/recent health role. A sampling of roles that can benefit from this upskilling include: licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) or medical assistants (MAs), LVN leads or trainers, MA leads or trainers, counselors, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, optometry techs, pharmacy techs, dieticians/nutritionists, dental hygienist, community health worker, and other clinical roles with responsibility for coordinating or administering healthcare.
  • The ability to work in the U.S.
  • Be a California resident.
  • Have no felony conviction on record.
  • Be computer and internet proficient.
  • Have home access to reliable high-speed internet.
  • Have a working computer that is less than 7 years old.
  • Be willing to commit 3-4 hours per day (estimated at 20+ hours per week) of study time.
  • Be willing to certify high school diploma/GED and healthcare credential.
  • Strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply
  • Be referred by a member of SEIU-UHW who is in good standing (if you are not already a member of SEIU-UHW)

Disclaimer: Futuro Health reserves the right to change or update program requirements and qualifications at any time.