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Scheduling coordinator vs patient coordinator

The differences between scheduling coordinators and patient coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a scheduling coordinator, becoming a patient coordinator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a scheduling coordinator has an average salary of $36,493, which is higher than the $32,954 average annual salary of a patient coordinator.

The top three skills for a scheduling coordinator include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a patient coordinator are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Scheduling coordinator vs patient coordinator overview

Scheduling CoordinatorPatient Coordinator
Yearly salary$36,493$32,954
Hourly rate$17.54$15.84
Growth rate-8%-4%
Number of jobs66,11497,878
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4940
Years of experience24

What does a scheduling coordinator do?

A scheduling coordinator is responsible for arranging the calendars and managing the appointments of a senior employee. Scheduling coordinators keep a record of meetings, reminding the key personnel as well as other participants of any schedule adjustments and cancellations. They are also responsible for booking venues for events and processing travel arrangements, following the specifications of the head personnel. A scheduling coordinator must be detail-oriented, as well as having excellent communication and organization skills to answer schedule queries and perform administrative tasks as needed.

What does a patient coordinator do?

A patient coordinator functions as the primary point of contact between health care professionals and patients in a medical facility. They mostly perform administrative tasks such as greeting visitors, answering calls, responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments, processing payments, gathering information, and keeping records. Moreover, they assist in filling out forms, escorting patients to different rooms or offices, and setting treatment plans. Most importantly, they discuss and share necessary information with patients and families regarding medications, procedures, and proceeding care according to a physician's assessment.

Scheduling coordinator vs patient coordinator salary

Scheduling coordinators and patient coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Scheduling CoordinatorPatient Coordinator
Average salary$36,493$32,954
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityPortland, MEBrockton, MA
Highest paying stateMaineMassachusetts
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between scheduling coordinator and patient coordinator education

There are a few differences between a scheduling coordinator and a patient coordinator in terms of educational background:

Scheduling CoordinatorPatient Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Scheduling coordinator vs patient coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between scheduling coordinators' and patient coordinators' demographics:

Scheduling CoordinatorPatient Coordinator
Average age4940
Gender ratioMale, 15.9% Female, 84.1%Male, 11.2% Female, 88.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between scheduling coordinator and patient coordinator duties and responsibilities

Scheduling coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage medical records entering data with CPT and ICD-9 codes preserving an environment of thoroughness and accuracy.
  • Manage payment postings, verify insurance coverage prior to patient appointments and advise patients of insurance referrals or authorizations require.
  • Manage inpatient transfers to rehabilitation and medical facilities, along with preparing and monitoring outpatient billings insurance verification and referrals.
  • Perform patient registration, insurance verification, and assist patients with scheduling radiology and chemotherapy appointments in a demanding environment.
  • Enter all patient information in EMR system, scan all of patients medical record into EMR system and classify by sections.
  • Check patient insurance coverage, determines if referral or authorization for surgery is needed.
  • Show more

Patient coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Comply with HIPAA regulations by discreetly and professionally handling all patients private medical information.
  • Gather personal plus insurance information and perform thorough insurance breakdowns for patients.
  • Communicate directly with patients to obtain initial patient information and respond to inquiries.
  • Process and update HIPAA relate paperwork and other require institutional forms as necessary.
  • Obtain all necessary documentation prior to surgery such as proof of identification, copy of insurance and require insurance referrals.
  • Respond in writing to all grievances in accordance with CMS and DNV guidelines.
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Scheduling coordinator vs patient coordinator skills

Common scheduling coordinator skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Surgery, 4%
Common patient coordinator skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Patient Flow, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Check-In, 3%

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