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Case Manager - Career Profile |
Career OverviewCase managers are counselors who extend their services to a range of people who need assistance. Their principle function is to understand and develop skills for settlement counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, cross-cultural communications, case management, and pre-employment support.
A case manager involved in settlement counseling is also known as a settlement worker. Their job is to provide support and basic assistance to immigrants and refugees to help them become settled and self-efficient.
A case manager who specializes in group counseling is familiar with the concepts, interventions, and guiding theories of group counseling, group dynamics, and group leadership. They may treat a variety of patients, including substance abusers and suffers of depression.
A case manager who specializes in crisis counseling assesses and treats patients who are or may be suffering active crisis of any kind, such as mental instability, homelessness, drug addiction, and suicidal tendency.
However, a crisis manager has a more comprehensive role than a general social worker. In addition to providing straightforward counseling, case managers are responsible for coordinating with other community organizations to meet the needs of their patients and clients, including housing, financial, legal, and employment needs.
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Career RequirementsThe vast majority of case managers have a background in nursing. Many case management positions establish an undergraduate degree in nursing as a requirement and also emphasize a preference for specific training in case management, such as utilization management and case management.
Training programs and refresher courses in case management are available and provide opportunities for professionals to meet and discuss principles and techniques for case management, referrals, and counseling.
Licensing in case management, which are generally preferred by employers, are available through the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and the Commission for Case Management Certification (CCMC).
All nurses are who work as case managers are required to have current RN licenses to meet the state requirements.
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Job OutlookAccording to most estimates, the job outlook for case managers is good. Changes to the health care system should not impact case managers and their work load. For the most part, their duties are likely to remain the same.
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Career TrackCase managers often have diverse backgrounds within the healthcare field. Some have training as nurses in addition to formal training in counseling and case management. Others amass experience as social workers and apply the knowledge gained to case management.
Some case managers work in hospitals, anywhere from critical care units to outpatient facilities. Others work in doctor’s offices, or in association with health care centers or government agencies. Acute care and managed care situations are the most common situations.
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CompensationThe salary range of case managers is $50,000 to $70,000. Within this range, the average income is approximately $60,000. Most positions are full-time and include standard benefits in the payment packages.
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