A credentialing coordinator works in health care and is responsible for managing the credentials of medical staff members. This type of coordinator is in charge of ensuring that state or regional regulations governing education and professional preparation are followed, as well as keeping records and proof of compliance paperwork. A credentialing coordinator’s responsibilities include researching rules and mandates, entering and editing database data, and collaborating with license boards and care providers.
This coordinator must review and collect proof of a physician’s medical degrees, certificates, and job experience when a physician or other health care worker is hired at a medical facility. She’ll almost certainly be involved in the interviewing and hiring process, ensuring that a candidate has sufficient job preparation and knowledge. She might be able to help a potential candidate contact the appropriate agencies for documentation. This type of coordinator may also be responsible for contacting personal and professional references, as well as verifying employment via phone or mail. A credentialing coordinator may also use this research to assess a candidate’s suitability and communicate that assessment to other members of the hiring committee.
This type of medical coordinator’s responsibilities also include maintaining collected records. The coordinator frequently gathers these records, enters them into a database, and keeps them up to date and organized. On request, the coordinator also removes these files from the database. Once an employee has been hired, the coordinator will contact the appropriate licensing agencies to obtain forms and assist in their filing, ensuring that the employee remains compliant.
The coordinator is responsible for not only maintaining these files, but also communicating their contents to certain individuals within the medical facility. She is in charge of communicating with caregivers to ensure that they are aware of upcoming deadlines and training opportunities. She’s also in charge of notifying management of any deviations from standards that could lead to legal violations. The coordinator may also be the person to contact if a patient has a question. If a patient is curious about a physician’s or nurse’s credentials, he can ask the credentialing coordinator for more information and documentation.
It’s critical for a credentialing coordinator to stay up to date on licensing rules and regulations, particularly as laws and codes change. Health-care workers are expected to keep up to date credentials, and the coordinator must review regulations on a regular basis to ensure that all employees are up to date. The coordinator will frequently be required to review new information obtained from regional and national accreditation organizations.