Care Coordinator Training: Building Skills for Better Patient Care

Written by Darcie Parry on 11/05/2026

Care coordinators play a vital role in modern healthcare. They help ensure that patients receive the right care, at the right time, from the right professionals. People often enter the care coordinator role with a wide range of transferable skills and experiences, from administration and customer service to social care or community work.

However, to work safely and effectively, a basic level of structured training is essential before care coordinators begin taking referrals, particularly for those who are new to working in the NHS.

Employers have an important responsibility to ensure that care coordinators are equipped with the right knowledge and skills before starting the role fully. Training for care coordinators typically falls into two key areas:

Personalised care and care coordination training

Induction and training specific to the service or setting

Let’s explore what this looks like in practice.

1. Personalised Care and Care Coordination Training

At the heart of the care coordinator role is personalised care, supporting individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. To deliver this effectively, care coordinators must complete a set of core training programmes.

Core Training Requirements

Two-Day Accredited Care Coordinator Training

The Two-Day accredited care coordinator training course is considered the minimum requirement for anyone starting the role. Accredited providers can be found through the Personalised Care Institute (PCI). The course is typically funded by employers, although the cost may vary depending on the training provider.

This training provides a strong foundation by helping care coordinators understand:

The purpose of the role

How care coordination improves patient outcomes

How the role supports multidisciplinary teams

Where care coordinators add value within the wider health system

It’s an excellent starting point for building confidence and understanding the impact of the role. Where there are course costs, via NATH, you can request funding to cover this. No need to worry whether your employer will pay for it, we've got that covered!

Find accredited Care Coordinator training

Request funding for training

Level 3 apprenticeship in Community Health & Wellbeing

Alternatively, new Care Coordinators can do a Level 3 apprenticeship in Community Health and Wellbeing approved by the PCI. At NATH we provide hands on apprenticeship support to help you find the find training provider, access funding to cover the full costs, and support you with any on-boarding documentation.

Find apprenticeship details and training providers

Access apprenticeship funding and support

Accredited Personalised Care and Support Plan E-Learning

This free course, available through the Personalised Care Institute, focuses on how to work with patients to create meaningful care and support plans tailored to their needs.

Personalised Care and Support Planning

Accredited Shared Decision-Making E-Learning

Also free through the Personalised Care Institute, this training explores how care coordinators can empower patients to be active participants in decisions about their care.

Shared Decision-Making

Additional Helpful Skills

While not always mandatory, many care coordinators also benefit from developing:

Coaching skills

Motivational interviewing techniques

These skills can make a big difference when supporting people to manage their health, make lifestyle changes, or navigate complex care pathways.

2. Induction and Training Specific to the Setting

In addition to core training, care coordinators must complete an induction tailored to the organisation or service they are joining before taking referrals.

This part of the training ensures coordinators understand how their role fits within the local healthcare system and how to work effectively with colleagues and partner organisations.

What Induction Training Might Include

Mandatory Training

This typically includes safeguarding, confidentiality, manual handling, data protection and other essential NHS training requirements.

IT Systems and Documentation

Care coordinators need to learn how to use relevant systems, templates, and tools to accurately record interventions and manage patient information.

Understanding the Service and the Team

Induction should introduce care coordinators to:

The multidisciplinary team

New ways of working within the service

Key partner organisations, such as patient safety collaboratives

Local services and support networks

Learning About Patient Pathways

Care coordinators often support specific patient groups or programmes. Training may include pathways such as:

Enhanced Health in Care Homes (EHCH)

Anticipatory care

Elective care pathways

Long-Term Condition Frameworks

Some services also provide training on frameworks supporting long-term conditions, including cardiovascular disease prevention and respiratory care, as well as the use of risk stratification tools.

Understanding Organisational Priorities

It is important that care coordinators understand the goals and priorities of the organisation they work for, and how their role contributes to achieving them.

Policy and Programme Context

Training may also include national initiatives and policies such as:

Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES)

Understanding QOF

Proactive care

Anticipatory care programmes

Enhanced health in care homes

Role Boundaries and Expectations

Clear guidance helps care coordinators understand the scope of their role, expected outcomes, and when to escalate issues.

Extra Support for Those New to Health and Care

For individuals who are completely new to the health and care sector, completing the Care Certificate can be a valuable part of the induction process. This programme helps ensure staff can deliver compassionate, safe, and high-quality care from the very beginning.

Learning Doesn’t Stop There

Training for care coordinators is not a one-time event. As healthcare continues to evolve, ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) is essential.

Care coordinators will continue to build their skills through additional training, experience, and professional development opportunities throughout their careers.

Care coordinators are an essential part of the healthcare workforce. By supporting patients, connecting services, and improving communication between teams, they help create a more joined-up and patient-centred system.

With the right training, support, and development opportunities, care coordinators can thrive in a role that is both rewarding and impactful, helping people navigate healthcare with confidence and compassion.

At NATH we run monthly, fully funded CPD training events that Care Coordinators are welcome to book onto. We also record several of these events and put them on our YouTube channel so you can complete some CPD at a time and pace that suits you. Here are a few you may want to watch: