How Can I Become an Intake Coordinator?
Explore the career requirements for an intake coordinator. Get the facts about education requirements, job duties, and salary information to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Is an Intake Coordinator?
An intake coordinator is responsible for the initial assessment of patients and clients who seek help at medical facilities and social services organizations. Depending on the type of facility where they work, they perform various assessments of clients' mental and physical statuses, often in crisis situations, and they transfer them appropriately in order to make sure that their medical and personal needs are met. Career titles within this field include registered nurse (RN) and social worker.
The following table helps explain what you need to know before entering this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Varies by position from a high school diploma to a master's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td>Prior work experience in healthcare field is helpful</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Healthcare, human development, counseling, public health, psychology, or social work</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td>Effective communication under high pressure, understanding of medical terminology, organizational skills; may need to be bilingual and/or able to take blood samples</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure</b></td><td> Depends on the position; licensure as an RN or social worker may be preferred</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td>Varies by the position; for example, 9% for all RNs, 12% for all social workers*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Annual Wage (2021)</b></td><td>$57,001**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationAndLicensesDoINeedToBecomeAnIntakeCoordinator">What Education and Licenses Do I Need to Become an Intake Coordinator?</h3><p>Most employers require intake coordinator candidates to have a bachelor's degree in healthcare, human development, counseling, public health, psychology or social work. However, some require only a high school diploma or associate's degree. If you want to provide counseling and psychological services as a clinical intake coordinator, you need a graduate degree in social work or psychology. Many employers prefer to hire clinical intake coordinators who are licensed social workers or registered nurses.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillIStudy">What Will I Study?</h3><p>In the process of earning a relevant public health degree, you're likely to encounter courses discussing:
</p><ul><li>Epidemiology
</li><li>Research
</li><li>Healthcare administration
</li><li>Ethics
</li><li>Informatics
</li><li>Medical terminology
</li><li>Biology
</li><li>Bacteriology
</li><li>Anatomy
</li><li>Chemistry
</li><li>Sociology
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatOtherSkillsMightINeed">What Other Skills Might I Need?</h3><p>You need to have good communication skills and a working knowledge of medical terminology. Previous experience in the healthcare field is beneficial. Occasionally, a job requires applicants to have knowledge of phlebotomy or possess bilingual skills.
</p><h3 id="section---WhereMightIWork">Where Might I Work?</h3><p>Many intake coordinators work for healthcare providers, such as doctor's offices, hospitals and clinics. However, you might work for a mental health or counseling center, social service organization or pharmacy.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobDutiesMightIHave">What Job Duties Might I Have?</h3><p>Your job title might be intake coordinator or clinical intake coordinator depending on your level of education, experience and licensing. As an intake coordinator, you perform intake assessments, schedule and coordinate appointments, complete registration and insurance paperwork, enter data and admit or pre-admit patients for inpatient or outpatient care.
</p><p>You may be exposed to challenging situations, such as dealing with people who are under extreme mental or physical stress. You may draw blood for lab tests or provide counseling if you have the proper credentials. As a clinical intake coordinator, you may also perform clinical and mental health assessments and conduct crisis interventions.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Instead of working as an intake coordinator, you could choose a different job in the medical or social services field. For instance, you could become a social service manager, where you would be responsible for ensuring that the operations of the organization as a whole runs smoothly by supervising staff and coordinating services. This job usually requires a bachelor's degree. In the medical field, you could become a surgical technologist. After the intake process, if a patient is transferred for surgery, these professionals work alongside surgeons assisting with the operation. For this job, you usually need to earn a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree, and professional certification can boost job prospects.</p>