Medical program administration and medical health project management are the responsibilities of a medical coordinator. Programs and projects may be localized to a city, county, or state, or they may span a country or group of countries, depending on the geographic location and scope of the organization for which the coordinator works. Regardless of the geographic area served, the medical coordinator is responsible for adhering to agency procedures and funding guidelines while also ensuring that consumer rights are protected when it comes to health programs and services.
A medical coordinator, in particular, implements and evaluates health projects, as well as monitors their progress to identify and correct problems. She must stay up to date on all policies and procedures that apply to each project, as well as communicate frequently with key directors and management personnel. To achieve mutual goals, it is critical to communicate with a wide range of health care authorities and other medical coordinators.
A person in this position represents her organization and its interests at outside meetings and community forums. She attends health-related conferences, drafts proposals, conducts surveys, and writes articles to help the organization achieve its goals. The medical coordinator may organize community forums and prepare appropriate agendas if topics arise that would benefit from community discussion.
The medical coordinator evaluates current programs on an as-needed basis and reports on their progress to the community and medical professionals. She may make suggestions for program changes, development, or elimination. Organization directors and governing agencies frequently demand written and oral program reviews.
The medical coordinator may also be responsible for supporting medical efforts and teams in the field, depending on the organizational structure and scope of accountability. This can include things like vehicle maintenance and meeting ever-changing transportation requirements. She may also be called upon to assist in the efficient scheduling of vehicle fleets.
The responsibilities of this position can change on a daily basis. She may be required to work as an in-house administrator dealing with paperwork and telecommunications one day and then be dispatched to the field to resolve operational issues the next. To be successful in this position, you must be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
While a degree in administration, management, or project coordination is preferred, it is not required for a career in this field. Many organizations place a high value on work experience in related fields in addition to formal education. A combination of related education and practical experience in related fields is usually highly valued.