Scheduling coordinators do just as their job title suggests: coordinate schedules for whatever industry they work in. In some businesses this may mean coordinating work schedules, while in others it may also entail scheduling client, patient or student appointments. Some high-level executives or other individuals may hire scheduling coordinators to manage their personal or business schedules.

Organizational Skills

Organization is the most important skill you should have as a scheduling coordinator, no matter which industry you find work in. You will need the ability to multitask as well, as in many positions you will have to handle multiple schedules at once, or schedules that must coincide with each other. You may be required to schedule appointments, book venues, make travel arrangements or create employee schedules to ensure appropriate coverage is available at all times. Time management is another important organizational skill to have.

Secretarial Skills

You need, at minimum, basic secretarial skills as a scheduling coordinator. You must be able to answer the phone, know basic computer skills, and be able to manage spreadsheets or operate other scheduling software. Communication skills are important, as you will be interacting with not only the employers or coworkers whose schedules you are making, but also other professionals that you might need to work with to book venues or make travel arrangements. You also need customer service skills for scheduling client appointments or, in some industries, taking client orders to add to your company’s manufacturing schedule.

Industry Differences

The duties of a scheduling coordinator vary widely by industry. In hospitals and nursing homes, for example, you may be responsible for scheduling nurses to ensure that there are always enough on hand to deliver adequate care; in the manufacturing industry, you may be required to coordinate orders with available machinery in order to create a manufacturing schedule; and in IT, you may be scheduling customer service appointments or program completion schedules.

Scheduling coordinators are sometimes hired to assist and schedule for only one person, such as a high-ranking business executive, an event coordinator, or a public speaker or performer. A scheduling coordinator working in the education industry is responsible for putting together students' schedules.

Education and Qualifications

A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement for most scheduling coordinator positions, but in some cases employers require an associate or bachelor’s degree in public relations, event coordination, business administration or a similar major. Some degree programs give you the opportunity to intern; because employers most often look for an employee with experience in a relevant industry, working as an intern is one way to get that experience.