Whether in health care, housing, insurance or another field, an intake coordinator helps people gain access to services. The actual job duties vary according to the position, but typically involve some form of connecting an individual with the organization or making a referral. An intake coordinator might handle a patient’s hospice admission, connect a client to community-based services or assist a client in filing an insurance appeal. Educational requirements and qualifications vary according to the employer.

Required Skills and Characteristics

Communication is a cornerstone of an intake coordinator’s job. She must have excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal with clients, the public and the organization in which she works. Because accurate communication is so important and many patients or clients are more familiar with languages other than English, some organizations give preference to bilingual candidates. An intake coordinator should also have good time management skills, as her clients may need immediate assistance with housing or be very ill and in pain. In some fields, an intake coordinator may need high-level computer skills to manage databases or run reports.

Helping With Access

An intake coordinator is a gatekeeper. She is often the first contact point for people who need some sort of service or care. In health care, the intake coordinator may arrange an admission to a hospital, hospice unit or organ transplant center. In a field such as housing, the intake coordinator is the liaison between the courts and community agencies that provide housing or other services. As part of the task, a hospice intake coordinator collects information from the patient, such as demographics, insurance eligibility or medical history. A supportive housing intake coordinator may review court records and documents related to a client's housing needs. Intake coordinators also enter the data into the organization’s electronic systems or files.

Secondary Duties Vary

Intake coordinators handle many tasks. For example, a supportive housing intake coordinator may work with various people in the criminal justice system to coordinate admissions, scheduling and discharge planning for people who need housing services. An intake coordinator in a hospice system must use diagnostic medical coding correctly for each patient. In a transplant unit, the intake coordinator might obtain medical records and arrange a patient’s first appointment. Intake coordinators in insurance companies may help patients file appeals or complete other paperwork.

Qualifications and Other Requirements

Qualifications for intake coordinators vary according to the position. In hospice and transplant units, nursing knowledge and experience is required, and the intake coordinator may need to be a licensed practical nurse. A supportive housing intake coordinator may need bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Insurance coordinators may need a bachelor’s degree, as well as knowledge of medical terminology, Medicare and other health insurance organizations. Some organizations require that intake coordinators have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel. As much as five years of experience may also be required for some positions.