Program Coordinators: Facilitate Patient Communication
A good coordinator can help improve patient compliance and save practitioner time by answering basic questions patients may have in regards to the Patient Guidebook, supplements, or other aspects of the program. If your Coordinator is welcoming and communicative, they can serve as your extra "eyes" and "ears" and provide feedback on any potential system or patient issues.

Program Coordinators: Increase Patient Compliance
The Coordinator can serve as an effective motivator for your patients. And if you encourage the Coordinator to talk about their personal experience with FLT, it will breed enthusiasm for the program among both the staff and the patients. For example, the Coordinator can share their tips for exercise, cooking, food shopping, healthy restaurants, meditating/stress relief, etc. Some Coordinators go even further and organize walking groups and prepare recipes from the Patient Guidebook to share with the staff and patients. Remember, there may be a wealth of resources right at your doorstep that will improve the experience for everyone!

Program Coordinators: Increase Program Awareness
Experts say that a personal recommendation is among the most powerful influences of behavior. If you encourage your Coordinator to advocate FLT, the interest in the program will become infectious and spread to the other staff and eventually to your community.

How to: Identify the Ideal Candidate for the Program Coordinator Position
The skill set recommended for Program Coordinators includes organization, communication, relationship building, and an interest in or excitement about FLT. The right personality is needed to motivate other office staff, team build, and keep FLT moving. Strong organizational skills are necessary to implement and maintain the program, and a relationship-oriented personality is crucial for interacting with patients and other staff members. Coordinators need to feel comfortable occasionally serving as the "face" of the program, as they often present the "first impression" patients have of the program.

When seeking potential candidates, be sure to look at existing employees and consider hiring from within. Try mining the resources available at your office and it’ll build teamwork, generate loyalty, reduce turnover, and capitalize on your staff's potential.

How to: Train Your Program Coordinator and Ensure Success
Once you have selected the right candidate, it is important to have that person attend Tier I of the FLT Certification Seminar where they will learn fundamental concepts such as nutritional components, patient education, material preparation, and more. A certificate showing Certification in FLT will be awarded based on successful completion of the tests. Office managers, administrators, and key office staff members are encouraged to attend.

How to: Maximize the Value of Your Program Coordinator
To maximize the value of your program coordinator, be sure to encourage their open interaction with patients and other staff.