What does a unit coordinator do?
A unit coordinator is responsible for providing quality care services to patients by supporting the daily operations of a health care facility under the supervision of medical professionals. Unit coordinators perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, including responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, scheduling appointments, sorting medical records, verifying insurance details, and assisting the physician on the care plans and patients' activities. They also monitor the medical supply inventory, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility by adhering to safety standards and protocols.
Unit coordinator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real unit coordinator resumes:
- Manage inpatient transfers to rehabilitation and medical facilities, along with preparing and monitoring outpatient billings insurance verification and referrals.
- Demonstrate care and compassion toward all patients and family members at all times.
- Receive all incoming phone calls; triage calls from the hospital emergency room.
- Display ability to identify and prioritize degree of urgency via assignment of triage.
- Review all patients EMR to ensure all appropriate power plans and quality measure consoles have been initiate.
- Coordinate the daily events in an ICU setting and all other secretarial duties, including but not limit to maintaining equipment.
- Input Dr. Orders in computer, consult physicians, evaluation for social workers on patients, admission of patients and discharges.
- Maintain strict patient confidentiality and privacy in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
- Present high standards of flexibility by mastering the numerous areas of ICU and Medical/Surgical departments.
- Protect the security of medical records to ensure confidentiality, accuracy and compliance with current HIPAA regulations.
- Communicate and assist in coordinating issues surround resident admission to the facility for long-term or rehabilitation care.
- Staff nurse for heavy medical surgical unit specializing in GI, Pre-liver and hematological oncology transplant patients.
- Perform a variety of general administrative support duties associate with patients including making follow-up appointments post hospital stay.
- Obtain demographics and insurance information primarily dealing with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for patients or potential patients.
- Provide exceptional interpersonal skills require for interacting effectively and cordially with a wide variety of hospital personnel, visitors and patients.
Unit coordinator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 26% of Unit Coordinators are proficient in Patients, Customer Service, and Medical Terminology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Interpersonal skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Unit Coordinators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 26%
Entered doctors orders for patients changed from emergency room outpatient to inpatient status utilizing Electronic Medical Records program.
- Customer Service, 12%
Registered patients for outpatient and emergency room services, utilizing customer service skills while effectively processing data.
- Medical Terminology, 8%
Leveraged strong computer proficiency and developed strong knowledge of hospital systems and medical terminology.
- CPR, 3%
Verify License, CPR and ACLS and making sure they are current each month.
- Patient Flow, 3%
Assisted charge nurse with facilitating patient flow in 25 bed Neurological/Telemetry Medical Surgical Unit.
- Physician Orders, 3%
Communicate with ancillary departments, physician offices, and service providers as indicated per physician orders.
Common skills that a unit coordinator uses to do their job include "patients," "customer service," and "medical terminology." You can find details on the most important unit coordinator responsibilities below.
Writing skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a unit coordinator to have is writing skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." Unit coordinators often use writing skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "discharged patients by writing off charts and entering the diagnosis into the computer system. "
Interpersonal skills. Many unit coordinator duties rely on interpersonal skills. "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff," so a unit coordinator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways unit coordinator responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "provide exceptional interpersonal skills required for interacting effectively and cordially with a wide variety of hospital personnel, visitors and patients. "
Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of unit coordinators is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday unit coordinator duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed administrative and organizational duties associated with indirect patient care. "
The three companies that hire the most unit coordinators are:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital35 unit coordinators jobs
- Lahey Health Behavioral Services
29 unit coordinators jobs
- Nationwide Children's Hospital25 unit coordinators jobs
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Compare different unit coordinators
Unit coordinator vs. Scheduling specialist
A scheduling specialist is responsible for managing the department's meeting, conference, and event schedules, as well as negotiating with suppliers and third-party vendors for appointment and program needs. Scheduling specialists may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on communicating with clients and informing them of meetings, and responding to their concerns and inquiries. A scheduling specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of the data processing procedures to maintain the organization's database, updating clients' information, and tracking business transactions.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a unit coordinator are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "patient flow," "taking care," and "emergency situations." On the other hand, a job as a scheduling specialist requires skills like "patient care," "insurance verification," "insurance coverage," and "patient demographics." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Scheduling specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the transportation industry, with an average yearly salary of $51,929. On the other hand, unit coordinators are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,680.On average, scheduling specialists reach similar levels of education than unit coordinators. Scheduling specialists are 2.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Unit coordinator vs. Call center agent
A call center agent is responsible for answering calls and assisting clients by responding to inquiries. They also handle complaints and resolve issues, troubleshoot errors, and process applications. The tasks of a call center agent will vary on the directives of supervisors. There are instances when they must make calls to gather or give information, sell products, and discuss a particular subject. Furthermore, most of the duties take place in a team setting, which is why it is essential to coordinate with colleagues and adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real unit coordinator resumes. While unit coordinator responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "medical terminology," "cpr," and "patient flow," call center agents use skills like "inbound phone calls," "customer care," "schedule appointments," and "troubleshoot."
Call center agents may earn a lower salary than unit coordinators, but call center agents earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $30,867. On the other hand, unit coordinators receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,680.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Call center agents tend to reach lower levels of education than unit coordinators. In fact, they're 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Unit coordinator vs. Call center specialist
A call center specialist is responsible for providing the customers with the highest quality service by responding to their inquiries and concerns and resolving their complaints. Call center specialists assist the customers in taking their orders, processing payments, and verifying transaction details. They may also sell new goods and services to the customers according to their needs and budget limitations to generate more revenue resources for the business and enhance the brand's image. A call center specialist must have excellent communication and computer skills to navigate databases and update customer's information accurately.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from unit coordinator resumes include skills like "medical terminology," "cpr," "patient flow," and "excellent interpersonal," whereas a call center specialist is more likely to list skills in "outbound calls," "inbound calls," "customer care," and "schedule appointments. "
Call center specialists earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $35,502. Unit coordinators earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $35,680.call center specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to unit coordinators. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Unit coordinator vs. Unit secretary
Unit secretaries are administrative workers in a medical facility, usually a hospital or a clinic. They are in charge of religious activities in the unit or department they are assigned to. They manage incoming and outgoing mail, phone calls, and even appointments. They handle filing and recording of the documents of the department. They also take minutes of meetings and ensure that action plans are followed through. Unit secretaries should be familiar with the individuals in the department. They should also be accustomed to the schedule of members of the unit. Unit secretaries should be organized, dedicated, and trustworthy.
Types of unit coordinator
Updated January 8, 2025
