Career Ladders Strengthen Coordinators' Professional Development

Sample coordinator career ladder

The following is a sample coordinator career ladder that distinguishes three job levels. These levels are based on job responsibilities, authority, decision-making, and experience rather than on the number of residents in the program or whether the coordinator supervises others.

Level 1: Residency program coordinator

Entry-level coordinators must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and preferably also have some administrative experience. 

Level 2: Senior residency program coordinator

The coordinator has gained all of the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the day-to-day operation of a residency program. To become a senior residency program coordinator, the coordinator must: 

• Have five years’ experience as a coordinator
• Achieve TAGME certification
• Participate in an internal review and site visit
• Be responsible for the daily management of the residency program
• Attend a minimum of two professional development conferences

Level 3: Academic program manager

The coordinator has excelled at managing the program and has proven his or her knowledge of residency program administration and ACGME requirements. To move from  senior residency coordinator to academic program manager, the coordinator must: 

• Have 10 years’ experience as a coordinator
• Achieve TAGME certification (recertification) 
• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the residency program
• Participate in at least five professional development activities, such as publications; abstracts; presentations at state, regional, or national meetings; or state, regional, or national committee participation
• [Add other responsibilities as pertinent to your institution, such as overseeing medical students]

Source: Adapted from Jeri L. Whitten, MS, C-TAGME.