Care Coordinator Jobs in Iowa
Care Coordinator jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, where large health systems and managed care organizations maintain steady hiring at every level from entry-level case aide to senior population health coordinator. UnityPoint Health, MercyOne, and the University of Iowa Health Care are among the most established employers in the state, with ongoing demand in behavioral health, Medicaid managed care, and chronic disease management. Iowa's expanding Medicaid program and growing network of federally qualified health centers have made this one of the more active markets in the Midwest for care coordination roles. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 28+ Care Coordinator jobs
The Care Coordinator integrates and coordinates the clinical care of individuals. Facilitates the interdisciplinary plan of care to meet multiple service needs, promotes continuity through elimination of fragmentation of care/service and facilitates the effective utilization of resources. Serves as educator and a central source of communication for the individual and their support systems.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Screens 100% of adult Medical/Surgical in-patient and observation patients and assesses the individual’s health status including clinical conditions, support systems and resources to identify needs and make referrals to appropriate multi-disciplinary services.
- Prioritizes patients for care coordination based on defined criteria.
- Monitors and coordinates an interdisciplinary plan of care in partnership with the individual and their support services for needs and services across the health care continuum and for transition through the levels and locations of care.
- Partners with the Social Work team for the development and implementation of an effective discharge plan for complex care patients. Works with internal and external resources to co-ordinate a timely safe transition of patient to the appropriate level of care.
- Participates with the interdisciplinary team in daily rounds, planning delivery and evaluation of patient-focused care for prioritized patients.
- Documents the case management plan to include clinical needs, barriers to quality care, effective utilization of resources and pursues denials of payment and referrals in a timely, legible manner.
- Integrates with ambulatory care management team, especially with high risk, chronically ill patients.
- Collaborates with patients, caregivers, internal/external healthcare providers, agencies and payers to assist in planning and executing a safe discharge.
- Collaborate with Utilization Management team on continued stay review.
- Educates patients and families regarding available options for care through the continuum.
- Advocates for both the patient and the payer to facilitate positive outcomes for the patient, healthcare team and the payer. If a conflict arises, the needs of the client must be the priority.
- Focuses on the transition of care that includes transfers to and from the hospital to the next level of care setting that is safe, effective, timely and complete. This includes ensuring there are referrals, appointments and information handed off to community services and providers. This may include transitions of care into the hospital, during the hospital stay, during the post-acute care and into the community.
- Provides and oversees the education of the patient and family as needed to develop a plan of care.
- Educates patients and families regarding available options for care through the continuum.
- Communicates patient/family learning needs that surface to the direct care nurse. Collaborates with direct care nurse on education plan.
- Refers to content experts as appropriate - i.e. wound care team, Diabetic Educators, Respiratory Therapy or PT.
- Facilitates and documents education related to medication adherence.
- Facilitates and documents patient self-management education.
- Applies the utilization management (UM) plan by functioning in the UM role as assigned.
- Knowledgeable of utilization criteria used by payers when communicating with the healthcare team and patient. This includes observation, inpatient, and outpatient criteria.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of financial and reimbursement processes to facilitate medical cost management, including best practices, effective utilization of resources, linking clinical and financial aspects of care, and access to care.
- Serves as a resource and educator to patient, family, staff and physicians regarding financial aspects of individual patient’s resources which may affect the transition of patients through the healthcare system.
- Provides education for the individual and family and for the team regarding benefits, utilization of resources, levels of care, and expectations of the transition process throughout settings across the healthcare continuum. Facilitates empowerment of the patient and family in self-management and health care decision-making.
- Identifies and manages over- and under-utilization of services such as avoidable days or spending.
- Graduate of accredited nursing program (must obtain BSN within 12 years of hire date)
- Two years of clinical experience in focused areas working with multidisciplinary teams
- Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa
The Care Coordinator integrates and coordinates the clinical care of individuals. Facilitates the interdisciplinary plan of care to meet multiple service needs, promotes continuity through elimination of fragmentation of care/service and facilitates the effective utilization of resources. Serves as educator and a central source of communication for the individual and their support systems.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Screens 100% of adult Medical/Surgical in-patient and observation patients and assesses the individual’s health status including clinical conditions, support systems and resources to identify needs and make referrals to appropriate multi-disciplinary services.
- Prioritizes patients for care coordination based on defined criteria.
- Monitors and coordinates an interdisciplinary plan of care in partnership with the individual and their support services for needs and services across the health care continuum and for transition through the levels and locations of care.
- Partners with the Social Work team for the development and implementation of an effective discharge plan for complex care patients. Works with internal and external resources to co-ordinate a timely safe transition of patient to the appropriate level of care.
- Participates with the interdisciplinary team in daily rounds, planning delivery and evaluation of patient-focused care for prioritized patients.
- Documents the case management plan to include clinical needs, barriers to quality care, effective utilization of resources and pursues denials of payment and referrals in a timely, legible manner.
- Integrates with ambulatory care management team, especially with high risk, chronically ill patients.
- Collaborates with patients, caregivers, internal/external healthcare providers, agencies and payers to assist in planning and executing a safe discharge.
- Collaborate with Utilization Management team on continued stay review.
- Educates patients and families regarding available options for care through the continuum.
- Advocates for both the patient and the payer to facilitate positive outcomes for the patient, healthcare team and the payer. If a conflict arises, the needs of the client must be the priority.
- Focuses on the transition of care that includes transfers to and from the hospital to the next level of care setting that is safe, effective, timely and complete. This includes ensuring there are referrals, appointments and information handed off to community services and providers. This may include transitions of care into the hospital, during the hospital stay, during the post-acute care and into the community.
- Provides and oversees the education of the patient and family as needed to develop a plan of care.
- Educates patients and families regarding available options for care through the continuum.
- Communicates patient/family learning needs that surface to the direct care nurse. Collaborates with direct care nurse on education plan.
- Refers to content experts as appropriate - i.e. wound care team, Diabetic Educators, Respiratory Therapy or PT.
- Facilitates and documents education related to medication adherence.
- Facilitates and documents patient self-management education.
- Applies the utilization management (UM) plan by functioning in the UM role as assigned.
- Knowledgeable of utilization criteria used by payers when communicating with the healthcare team and patient. This includes observation, inpatient, and outpatient criteria.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of financial and reimbursement processes to facilitate medical cost management, including best practices, effective utilization of resources, linking clinical and financial aspects of care, and access to care.
- Serves as a resource and educator to patient, family, staff and physicians regarding financial aspects of individual patient’s resources which may affect the transition of patients through the healthcare system.
- Provides education for the individual and family and for the team regarding benefits, utilization of resources, levels of care, and expectations of the transition process throughout settings across the healthcare continuum. Facilitates empowerment of the patient and family in self-management and health care decision-making.
- Identifies and manages over- and under-utilization of services such as avoidable days or spending.
- Graduate of accredited nursing program (must obtain BSN within 12 years of hire date)
- Two years of clinical experience in focused areas working with multidisciplinary teams
- Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa
See All 28 Care Coordinator Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Care Coordinator JobsCare Coordinator Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Care Coordinator Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in care coordinator jobs across Iowa.
- Active Iowa RN license or licensure recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing for clinical tracks
- Bachelor's degree in nursing, social work, or a health-related field
- One or more years of case management, care coordination, or clinical experience
- Familiarity with Medicaid, Medicare, or managed care plan processes and documentation
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Strong communication skills for coordinating across clinical teams, patients, and community resources
Care Coordinator Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a care coordinator in Iowa?
The path depends on whether the role is clinical or non-clinical. Clinical care coordinators in Iowa typically hold an active RN license issued or recognized by the Iowa Board of Nursing, earned after completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN. Non-clinical roles, such as those tied to social work or behavioral health, often require a degree in social work, human services, or a related field, and Iowa-licensed clinical social workers hold credentials through the Iowa Board of Social Work.
Which companies hire care coordinators in Iowa?
Employers hiring care coordinators in Iowa right now include UnityPoint Health, Centene, and Everystep, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Iowa's major integrated health systems, managed Medicaid plans, and federally qualified health centers account for the bulk of consistent openings across the state.
Which Iowa cities have the most care coordinator jobs?
Des Moines, Iowa City, and Boone lead Iowa in care coordinator openings. Des Moines anchors the market as the state's largest metro and home to major health systems and insurance carriers, Cedar Rapids draws volume from MercyOne and regional managed care operations, and Iowa City's openings are driven largely by the University of Iowa Health Care and its affiliated clinics.
Are there remote care coordinator jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're a minority of available roles. About 40% of care coordinator openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, which is typical for a role that blends phone-based care management with in-person patient touchpoints. Fully remote positions tend to be concentrated in utilization review, telephonic case management, and Medicaid managed care functions where patient contact happens through phone or telehealth.
How can I get hired as a care coordinator in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is lateral movement from a direct-care or patient-facing role such as medical assistant, home health aide, or patient access representative, which gives you the clinical exposure Iowa employers look for. UnityPoint Health and MercyOne both post care management support and care navigator roles that serve as structured on-ramps. Earning a Certified Case Manager credential or completing coursework in medical coding or health informatics strengthens an application. Community health worker positions at Iowa's federally qualified health centers also offer a direct bridge into coordinated care work.
Where can I find and apply to care coordinator jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to care coordinator jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 28 Care Coordinator Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Care Coordinator Jobs