Healthcare professionals interested in managing patient cases may want to look into getting certification in case management. Successful completion of the case management certification program may not only open up new employment possibilities, but it will also strengthen academic credentials. Case management certification programs are typically offered at colleges, universities, and continuing education centers. In order to apply for certification, a student must first meet the education, experience, and moral character requirements outlined by the commission for case manager certification, or CCMC. After these criteria are met, the student can apply to take the case management certification exam and obtain official certification.
Case management in the healthcare industry is a growing field. The primary responsibilities of a case manager are to work with patients and monitor their entire healthcare plan. A case manager will need to keep the lines of communication open among patients, physicians, medical facilities, and insurance companies. A critical aspect of a case manager's job is to make sure that the treating physicians and specialists know about all their patients' medications and treatments. This way, if they prescribe something new, they will know that the patient isn't taking something that may react badly with the new medication.
A prerequisite to applying for the case management certification program requires that the student already have a background as a registered nurse or other licensed medical professional. Classes in case management are often offered at local community colleges, state and private universities, and at continuing education or medical training centers. While the curriculum will vary from place to place, the program typically takes one to two years to complete. After completing the certification program, the student will earn a certificate in the field of case management. The next step is to obtain the actual case management certification.
In order to take the case management certification exam, the student must first meet eligibility criteria. First, the student must hold a post-secondary degree, which would include any nursing, college, or university degree or diploma that allows independent work within the medical profession. Second, the student must have 12 months of full-time working case management experience supervised by a certified case manager, or 24 months of full-time working case management experience not supervised by a certified case manager. Finally, the applicant must be of good moral character, which mainly entails never having had a professional medical license suspended or revoked, and not having any felonies on one's record.
