A case manager is a healthcare provider, mostly a registered nurse, whose duty is to help those with chronic illness, mental health issues, and other life-altering conditions gain access to rehabilitation programs as well as other community services.
So, in this article, as we proceed, I’m going to show you what a typical case manager job description should look like. So if you got a word that you’ll be the next case manager of your workplace, here’s what you’ll be doing.
Just come with me!
Pause! See the table of content here below for an overview of what to expect in this article.
Who is a Case Manager?
According to Merriam Webster, a case manager is a person (social worker or nurse) who assists in the planning, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of medical services for a patient with an emphasis on quality of care, continuity of services, and cost-effectiveness.
Ideally, they have a lot of things attached to them. Aside from taking care of in-house patients in the hospital, they can as well follow their patients home and care of them from the comfort of their homes.
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What does a case manager do?
Understanding what a case manager does is very important. The reason is that it can help you decide if this career path is the right one for you.
So in the lines to come, we’ll discuss what the primary duties of a case manager are. So what does a case manager do? Case managers have the following responsibilities in a work setting;
- Assessing clients’ physical and mental well-being, as well as their needs, preferences, and abilities, and using this information to create individualized care plans.
- Creating care plans with clients, family and friend support networks, and health care professionals.
Listening to clients’ concerns and providing counseling or intervention - Keeping track of clients’ progress, including referrals, home visits, and other noteworthy interactions
- Periodically assessing clients’ progress and making necessary adjustments to improve outcomes
- Following up with discharged clients to ensure they were satisfied with their services and that their physical and mental health had not deteriorated.
Where do case managers work?
Case managers work in varying environments. And this depends on their specific experience or the specific needs of their patients. You can find case managers in work settings like;
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Private practices
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities, etc.
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How much does a case manager earn?
How much a case manager earns largely depends on their level of expertise, employer, and location.
However, a case manager earns an average salary ranging from $7.25 to $44.85 per hour. Cumulatively, a case manager earns $38,863 per year.
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Case Manager: Training, skills, and requirements
Case Managers must have a bachelor’s degree or above. Fields of study differ based on the field in which a case manager wishes to work.
Basically, a bachelor’s degree in nursing qualifies a Case Manager to work in the health care industry while a bachelor’s degree in psychology can help Case Managers get jobs in the mental health profession.
Psychology and counseling, sociology, and social work are some disciplines that lead to a career as a Case Manager.
To become a successful case manager, you may also need to apply to a professional and be certified. Many employers, particularly those in mid-level and senior Case Manager positions, also require candidates to be certified by the Commission for Case Managers.
Case Manager Job Description Template
Here below is a typical case manager job description template as curated by Glassdoor.
Job Brief
We are one of the leading companies in our industry. We have a 4.0 rating on Glassdoor from our employees. We’re now hiring a case manager to help us keep growing. If you’re serious about your next job, Example Co. is a great place to get ahead. This is the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
Responsibilities for Case Manager
- Coordinate and facilitate patient care through assessment, evaluation, planning, and implementation
- Communicate patient needs to a variety of care team members and follow up accordingly.
- Manage discharge plans upon completion of treatment
- Work collaboratively with patients, families, physicians, and nurses to ensure high-quality help
- Act as the patient’s advocate as it relates to insurance coverage and financial assistance
- Maintain the patient’s comprehensive clinical record through detailed documentation
- Coordinate with third-party payors regularly
Qualifications for Case Manager
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing
- Registered Nurse in state of practice
- Certified Case Manager, preferred
- 3-5 years of clinical experience, preferably in case management, or related experience
- Ability to walk and stand 50-80% of the time
- Proficient computer skills including experience with Microsoft Excel
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent clinical assessment and analytical skills
Conclusion
There are many routes to becoming a case manager. This is because most case managers begin their careers in another field before advancing to the position of case manager. Nurses and social workers are the two most typical vocations that lead to becoming case managers.
Whether you wish to become a case manager as a nurse, social worker, or another relevant professional, here are the easiest steps to take:
- Acquire a suitable degree
- Obtain a relevant license or certificate.
- Obtain hands-on experience
- Become certified.
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