Care team coordinator: A new career path for medical assistants
If you visit a doctor at UI Health Care–Scott Boulevard, you’ll notice a new person in the room: a care team coordinator (CTC).
“As medical assistants, we’ve always worked one-on-one with the doctor,” says Nicole Dawley, MA. “We go into the room with the patient. However, in this brand-new role for MAs, we’re much more involved as scribes.”
When she took on a new role as a CTC, Dawley received a promotion and a title change. She enjoys all the extra duties she now performs.
“We write the patient notes for the doctor’s review, write and release orders per protocol, gather the lab and test results, reorder medications, and are involved during the entire patient appointment,” she says.
Saving time for doctors and patients
Dawley sees many advantages to the CTC program.
“I think it’s more efficient,” she says. “When I’m scribing, it gives the provider more one-on-one time with the patient. They can go right in, sit in front of the patient, and I’m in the corner taking notes on the computer.”
She also feels the CTC role allows her to better know her patients.
“I prepare notes and look through charts before going in with the patient,” she explains. “Now that I’ve been in this role for a while, I’m starting to learn more about each patient and their medical needs.”
A dozen years as an MA
In 2008, Dawley attended Kirkwood Community College to become certified as an MA. She says she and her co-workers play a pivotal role in clinic and hospital settings.
“We have skills that we can use from the front-end to the back-end,” she says. “We help with both administrative and clinical duties.”
Dawley is glad she made the leap to the CTC role.
“I really enjoy the change,” she says. “We do a lot more now and I feel more energized. Being a care team coordinator is very rewarding.”
UI Community Clinics is hiring CTCs. If you’re interested in learning more about this role, please email [email protected].