There are many, many classifications of case manager because every area of healthcare has its own definition of what is expected. If you take the number of different types of healthcare agencies, and you multiply that by the number of medical specialties, then you have an approximate number of different case management jobs. There are job descriptions posted with salaries ranging from $25,000 to $72,000.
Despite this wide range in salary, the career in case management usually centers on either the RN case manager or the social worker case manager. This is because all of the types of case manager position fall into two classifications: medical or behavioral health.
If you are an RN case manager, you need to be a registered nurse with either a two- or four-year degree. For other positions, a Master’s degree is preferred with specific specialty experience. If you are looking for a social worker case management job, you need a bachelor’s degree. In some cases, social service agencies recruit case managers with a high school diploma and experience in lieu of education, but these are usually reserved for the person who is proactively seeking his or her degree while working.
Some case managers work in an administrative capacity for health insurers to make certain that only those patients who meet their prerequisites will receive medical care. Maybe someone who utilizes the local emergency room in a non-emergent situation will not have his visit paid by his insurance. These case managers evaluate patient status to determine what level of care is necessary. Other administrative case manager positions require nurses to supervise the staff who intervene on behalf of patients wherever care is necessary.
Case managers in behavioral health facilitate the patient’s admission into a mental health facility or social service agency that specializes in specific treatment for substance abuse, mental retardation, or other issues. This person follows the patient from admission through discharge, making certain that all orders written by the health professional (either a doctor or a licensed social worker) are followed. This caseworker also follows up on medical needs of the patient who is being treated for mental health issues, such as scheduling dental appointments that he needs to keep while he is being treated for his mental health issues.
Nurse case managers in the acute care setting participate in patient assessments and treatment plans for patients suffering from medical or mental health diagnoses. They also communicate with a patient’s family, employer, or community resources. An occupational health case manager follows patients injured on the job. In this capacity, you ensure that all tests ordered by the physician are scheduled, that the patient keeps those appointments, and that the test results are received. There are similar case managers who follow patients disabled by illness or disease processes. Often these patients come from orthopedic physicians or physiatrists. They usually require some form of physical therapy or home health follow-up. You might be responsible for arranging physical therapy appointments for such patients or arranging for delivery of equipment to their homes.
The Case Management Society of America is the certifying organization that provides guidance, resources, and training for professionals in these types of healthcare jobs. A plethora of certifications ranges from the general, such as Certified Case Manager, to the specific, such as Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse.
If you feel passionate about your role on the healthcare team, and you have the skills to manage all utilization aspects of patient care, then you belong in this profession. Where can you find the best listings of case manager positions? At healthcarecrossing.com, a division of EmploymentCrossing.com, experts have searched the Internet for all available openings in this area and have placed them into one easy-to-search database. You can search by area or salary; you can plug in your current credentials; you can look for perquisites that are important to you. You will form a professional partnership with the staff at healthcarecrossing.com that you will want to maintain even after you find the one position that meets all of your career requirements. Visit healthcarecrossing.com today to see what jobs are available!
