5 Common Patient Care Coordinator Interview Questions & Answers

As a patient care coordinator, I know I need to juggle multiple responsibilities to multiple parties, and sometimes they may clash. The best way to resolve this is to determine the point of contention and understand the reasoning each person has. I consult with each and make an informed decision about what is best for the patient’s care while maintaining empathy and patience in all my interactions.

Coordinating care, often in an interdisciplinary application, can pose challenges, but I prioritize open communication in order to accomplish it. If my patient requires care from a nutritionist as well as a nurse and a physical therapist, the best way to satisfy all these needs is to maintain strong communication among all providers and be diligent in ensuring the appropriate care is delivered. I also proactively involve patients in their own treatment and communications with providers. This way, patients are empowered and a lapse does not go unnoticed.

Coordinating patient care may entail acting as a care provider myself, or it may simply be handling care provided by others. In either role, however, a coordinator must be able to multitask and competently handle the delivery of patient treatment. My written and spoken communication skills enable me to effectively do this, and my attention to detail ensures I do so with the utmost of accuracy. I also bring a genuine passion and empathy for patients to the position, which motivates me to provide them with the best care available. Each of these skills helps me treat patients effectively and proactively advance their health.

I demonstrate empathy by treating all patients with respect and dignity. I understand that patients are often in a vulnerable position, so I aim to provide care that addresses their concerns, meets their health needs and advances their long-term care objectives. In doing this, I emphasize communication and patient involvement in order to show that I care about them, their input and their treatment. This not only improves their experience, it also makes empathy an integral part of their care. I aim to make it a part of the overall treatment plan rather than simply a concept.

A patient care coordinator must ensure patients receive the care they need, but when there are roadblocks, I rely on a multifaceted approach to advocate for their needs. In the past, I have had to navigate obstacles such as schedule conflicts, uncooperative patients and insufficient communication. To combat these and deliver the treatment a patient needs, I advocate for patients with persistence. This may take the form of involving additional support, gaining necessary clearance for treatments or finding an alternate way to coordinate care. By following up and staying focused on long-term health goals, I can effectively advocate and overcome the obstacles standing in the way.