For those who are meticulously organized, deeply empathetic, and passionate about healthcare, a career as a Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) offers a rewarding path. This vital role serves as the central hub of a patient's journey, ensuring seamless communication and care. At a leading healthcare system like Providence Swedish, this position is not only critical to patient satisfaction but also offers a stable and competitive career.
But what does that translate to financially? This article provides a data-driven analysis of the Patient Care Coordinator salary at Providence Swedish, exploring the key factors that influence your earnings and the promising outlook for this essential profession.
What Does a Patient Care Coordinator Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's important to understand the scope of the role. A Patient Care Coordinator is the logistical and emotional backbone of a patient's experience. They are the ultimate navigators, liaisons, and advocates. While specific duties vary, core responsibilities typically include:
- Scheduling and Coordination: Managing appointments, procedures, and tests with multiple departments and specialists.
- Communication Hub: Acting as the primary point of contact for patients, families, physicians, nurses, and insurance providers.
- Administrative Management: Handling patient records, processing referrals, verifying insurance coverage, and ensuring all necessary paperwork is complete.
- Patient Support: Answering patient questions, providing information about procedures, and offering guidance to help them navigate the often-complex healthcare system.
In essence, a PCC ensures that the clinical care a patient receives is supported by a flawless and stress-free administrative process.
Average Patient Care Coordinator Salary at Providence Swedish
Navigating salary data requires looking at multiple sources to form a complete picture. Based on recent, aggregated data, a Patient Care Coordinator at Providence Swedish can expect to earn an average base salary that reflects the importance of their role.
According to data from Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a Patient Care Coordinator at Providence is approximately $57,984 per year. This figure includes an estimated base salary of around $53,792 and additional pay, such as bonuses or profit-sharing, of about $4,192 per year.
Similarly, Payscale reports the average hourly rate for a Patient Care Coordinator at Providence Health & Services is $24.58 per hour, which translates to an annual salary of approximately $51,126.
Therefore, a reasonable salary range for a Patient Care Coordinator at Providence Swedish falls between $48,000 and $65,000 annually. Entry-level positions will start at the lower end of this spectrum, while experienced coordinators with specialized skills in high-demand locations can command salaries at the higher end or even exceed it.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary is not a single, fixed number; it's a dynamic figure influenced by several key factors. Understanding these elements is crucial for negotiating your compensation and planning your career trajectory.
###
Level of Education
While a bachelor's degree is not always a strict requirement, it can significantly impact earning potential. Most PCC positions require a high school diploma or GED, with a strong preference for an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, communications, or a related field. Professional certifications, such as a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC), can also provide a competitive edge and justify a higher salary, as they formally validate your skills and knowledge.
###
Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most significant driver of salary growth in this role.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New coordinators are typically learning the specific systems and workflows of Providence Swedish. Their salaries will likely fall in the $48,000 to $52,000 range.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): With several years of experience, a PCC is proficient, can handle more complex patient cases, and may help train new staff. Their earnings often rise to the $53,000 to $60,000 range.
- Senior-Level (8+ years): A senior or lead PCC possesses deep institutional knowledge, manages the most complex patient pathways, and may take on supervisory responsibilities. They command the highest salaries, often $60,000+.
###
Geographic Location
Providence Swedish operates facilities across several states, and your salary will be adjusted based on the cost of living and market demand in your specific location. A PCC working in a major metropolitan area with a high cost of living, such as Seattle, Washington, or Los Angeles, California, will earn a considerably higher salary than one in a smaller city in Montana or Oregon. For example, Salary.com notes that the general "Patient Care Coordinator" salary in Seattle, WA, is about 15% higher than the national average, a trend that applies to roles within specific systems like Providence Swedish.
###
Company Type
The role is within Providence Swedish, a large, non-profit integrated healthcare system. Large systems like this typically offer structured pay bands, comprehensive benefits packages (health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off), and clear paths for advancement. This may contrast with a small, private practice, which might offer a slightly different salary and benefits structure. The stability and extensive resources of an organization like Providence are a significant part of the overall compensation package.
###
Area of Specialization
Not all PCC roles are created equal. Coordinators working in highly specialized and complex departments often earn more due to the advanced knowledge required. For instance:
- Oncology or Transplant Coordination: These fields involve intricate, multi-stage treatment plans and intense patient communication, justifying higher pay.
- Surgical Coordination: Managing pre-op and post-op logistics for complex surgeries requires meticulous attention to detail and specialized knowledge.
- Cardiology or Neurology: Coordinating care for patients with chronic and complex conditions in these fields also demands a higher level of expertise.
Specializing in one of these high-demand areas is a powerful way to increase your value and earning potential.
Job Outlook
The future for Patient Care Coordinators is exceptionally bright. As the U.S. population ages and healthcare becomes more complex, the need for skilled professionals to manage patient flow and information is growing rapidly.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for "Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants," the category that most closely includes PCCs, is set to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS attributes this growth to the increasing demand for healthcare services, which will, in turn, drive demand for the administrative professionals who support clinical staff and ensure healthcare facilities run efficiently.
Conclusion
A career as a Patient Care Coordinator at Providence Swedish is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a stable, meaningful, and financially rewarding role in the healthcare industry. With an average salary ranging from $48,000 to $65,000 and a strong positive job outlook, the profession offers significant security and opportunity.
Your earning potential is directly in your hands, influenced by your level of experience, geographic location, and any specializations you pursue. For those with exceptional organizational skills and a genuine desire to help others, this career path offers more than just a paycheck—it provides the profound satisfaction of being an indispensable part of a patient's healing journey.