A referral coordinator is responsible for a range of tasks related to referring and recommending others, including office work tasks that go along with connecting people with professionals or services they need. You can usually become a referral coordinator with a high school diploma, though employers in specialized medical, science, or educational fields sometimes require candidates to have degrees. You may also need about a year or so of experience in the field in which you hope to work. Additionally, you will usually need a variety of skills, ranging from computer and communication to medical terminology and organizational skills.
The job of a referral coordinator is highly focused on office work duties and doesn't require a lot of technical or highly specialized know-how. As such, most employers do not set strict educational requirements for those who are interested in this job. Typically, you can become a referral coordinator with just a high school diploma. This doesn't mean, however, that higher education is frowned upon for those beginning this career. Earning a bachelor's degree, especially in a business-related field, may boost your chances of landing the job when you are competing against other qualified applicants, and it may also improve your opportunities for eventual advancement.
It is important to note that while basic referral coordinator jobs may not require you to have a degree, there are some positions in this field for which a degree will be necessary. For instance, if you hope to become a referral coordinator for a medical company, you may need knowledge of medical practices and terminology, and as such, employers might want you to have a science or nursing degree. A medical technology degree could also prove appropriate for some medically related positions.
Once you've met the educational requirements an employer has set for this job, you will typically need at least some related experience to land it. Often, employers prefer candidates who have at least one year of industry experience. For instance, if you plan to work for a medical company, you may need about a year of experience working in a medical setting. If you are applying for a job with an educational company, on the other hand, you will usually need experience working in an education setting.
The skills and qualities you have also will likely prove important assets when you want to become a referral coordinator. For this type of position, you will typically need basic office skills as well as experience and skills working with computer and office applications — good communication skills are usually a must for this job as well. Some employers will also give you preference if you are skilled in using a multi-lined phone system. Additionally, since many referral coordinator positions are in the medical field, you may benefit from building your medical terminology knowledge and your skills with insurance coding.
