Health care case coordinators specialize in arranging and securing services for people with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease or HIV. Some work with patients who have substance abuse problems or mental health disorders.
Medical and public health social workers may serve the functions of case coordinators, while other professionals in the field have a background in health care management rather than social work. Aspiring case coordinators can gain the skills, expertise and qualification they need to begin a career in the field with the online Associate of Arts (AA) in Healthcare Management program from Florida Institute of Technology.
Job Outlook for Case Coordinators
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for health care social workers — the occupational group that may include case coordination and management professionals — will increase by 10% from 2023 to 2033. This growth rate is more than double the national average for all occupations during that same decade.
Increasing life expectancy and improved medical care are leading to a large population of older adults, who generally require more health care services. This, in turn, creates a greater demand for health care management professionals, including case coordinators, who focus on the gerontological field. In addition, as more people seek help for substance abuse and mental illnesses, case coordinators will be in demand to help individuals manage their treatment and recovery efforts.
Case Coordinator Job Description and Duties
Case coordinators, or care coordinators, typically assist individuals and families in setting up treatment options and services, such as arranging transportation for outpatient services or coordinating residential care. They may work with clients assigned to rehabilitative or long-term care facilities, substance-abuse programs, mental health clinics, nursing homes or adult day-care facilities, as well as those receiving at-home care. In addition to providing access to medical and health services, case coordinators can also direct clients to additional social services resources.
Working as a health care coordinator requires an ability to juggle multiple tasks and interact with a variety of clients, medical professionals, health information specialists and other service providers. Strong communication and decision-making skills are important.
Hospitals, nursing and rehabilitative care facilities, individual and family services agencies, and local government agencies typically employ case coordinators. These professionals may work flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of their clients.
Case Coordinator Salary Potential
Nationwide, health care social workers had a median annual wage of $61,330 in 2024, according to BLS data. The top 10% of earners had salaries exceeding $99,500 a year. Professionals with advanced educational qualifications and work experience generally have a higher earning potential than recent graduates.
However, social work positions may require higher levels of education than a typical health care case coordinator role. According to ZipRecruiter data, case coordinators made an average annual salary of $47,265 as of June 2025. Professionals can advance their career opportunities and income potential through attaining more experience and specialized education. In addition to educational attainment and employment history, a variety of factors can influence potential salary ranges and job opportunities, including regional market conditions, and industry type and size.
Education and Training for Case Coordinators
Some professionals may secure entry-level case coordinator and medical assistant jobs with an associate degree — especially from a specialized health care management education program. However, health care employers generally prefer health care social workers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
For more advanced roles, health care organizations may require candidates to hold a master’s degree. Common graduate degree concentrations for these roles are health care management, human services, counseling, rehabilitation or social work.
Given this, taking the first step toward a career as a case coordinator in the booming health care field can involve enrolling in an AA in health care management program, such as the 100% online program offered by Florida Tech. Completion of Florida Tech’s AA in Healthcare Management online program prepares individuals to:
- Understand the range of bioethical and socio-ethical issues in health care
- Identify how trends in the nation’s managed health care system impact an organization
- Incorporate solid analytical and organizational skills in preparing case documents
- Exercise critical-thinking methods to identify optimal solutions
- Communicate effectively with health care professionals, service providers and clients
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree in health care management
Is a Career as a Case Coordinator the Right Choice?
Those with strong organizational abilities, confident decision-making skills, an aptitude for managing casework, and a desire to help those with a variety of medical conditions could excel in a case coordinator career. The challenging work of a case coordinator offers personal and professional satisfaction, along with opportunities for career advancement.
The online AA in Healthcare Management program from Florida Tech provides the industry-specific knowledge and skills to be an effective practitioner in this professional role. Further, the degree program prepares students to pursue more advanced education through specialized bachelor’s and master’s programs, thereby expanding their career horizons in health care, social work and other fields.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online AA in Healthcare Management program.