How to Become a Case Manager: A Step-By-Step Guide

<p>Read below for a <b>step-by-step guide about becoming a case manager</b>. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1ChooseASpecialty">Step 1: Choose a Specialty</h3> <p>The education and training required to be a case manager varies significantly depending on your specialty. </p> <p>For this reason, it's a good idea to think about what type of case manager you want to be so you can plan accordingly. </p> <p>For example, some case managers need a nursing degree and license or a social worker degree and license. </p> <p>Once you get a handle on what type of social worker you'd like to be, you'll know the best path to follow to get there. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2EarnABachelorSDegree">Step 2: Earn a Bachelor's Degree</h3> <p>Almost all case managers have <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degrees</a>. The specific discipline depends on the type of case manager you want to be. </p> <p>For example, some insurance companies and hospitals require case managers to have a nursing degree. </p> <p>Many case managers working in government agencies have degrees in social work or a related discipline. </p> <p>Degrees in psychology, public policy, social services, or similar disciplines can also be helpful for case managers. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3CompleteAnInternship">Step 3: Complete an Internship</h3> <p>Specific requirements differ, but most case manager programs include an internship component. </p> <p>Some states require completion of an internship before you're eligible to sit for the licensing exam. </p> <p>During the internship, you get hands-on training as a case manager under the supervision of an experienced case manager. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4ConsiderAMasterSDegree">Step 4: Consider a Master's Degree</h3> <p>While most case managers only have a bachelor's degree, many also have a master's degree. </p> <p>A master's degree can increase your pay and also open the door to managerial or supervisory positions. </p> <p>Supervisory positions typically involve less one-on-one work with clients, so they can be less emotionally taxing. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5ApplyForLicensingInYourState">Step 5: Apply for Licensing in Your State</h3> <p>Check with your state's board for specific licensing requirements. Typically, you'll sit for an exam that you must pass. </p> <p>The American Case Management Association (ACMA) has a directory of state licensing requirements on its website. </p> <p>Some types of case managers require additional licensing. For example, you might need to be a registered nurse or licensed social worker. </p> <h2 id="section---BecomingACaseManager">Becoming a Case Manager</h2> <p>Many people depend on their case manager on a regular basis to ensure that their needs are met and they get the benefits they're entitled to. </p> <p>Case managers are experts at healthcare and government bureaucracy and know how to advocate for their clients. </p> <p>As the population ages, case managers are becoming more important than ever. There's never been a better time to start this career. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> </td><td>
<b>Registered Nurse</b>
</td><td>
<b>Healthcare Social Worker</b></td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Degree Required</b>
</td><td>
Associate's degree; bachelor's degree required by some employers
</td><td>
Master's degree</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Key Responsibilities</b>
</td><td>
Deliver case management, instruct patients on how to take care of injuries and illnesses, monitor patients and document observations
</td><td>
Deliver case management, deliver counseling and patient education, create referrals for additional services</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Licensure Required</b>
</td><td>
Licensure is required
</td><td>
Licensure or certification is required; varies by state</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Job Growth (2021-2031)</b>
</td><td>
12%*</td></tr> <tr><td>
<b>Median Salary (2022)</b>
</td><td>
$79,310*</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---TypesOfCaseManagers">Types of Case Managers</h3> <p>Case managers have roles throughout the healthcare and social services sectors. Some types of case managers are: </p> <ul><li>correctional case managers </li><li>educational case managers </li><li>disability case managers </li><li>housing case managers </li><li><a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Become_an_RN_Case_Manager.html">registered nurse case managers</a> </li><li>rehabilitation case managers </li><li>substance abuse case managers </li><li>mental health case managers </li></ul><p>While each type of case manager might have a different background and skill set, they all help and work on behalf of their clients. </p> <p>A case manager's clients are typically people who are underprivileged, disabled, or lower income. </p> <p>Helping these types of people navigate a complex and confusing bureaucratic system is a big part of a case manager's job. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationAndTraining">Education and Training</h3> <p>A case manager's education and training depends on the type of case manager they are and the kind of clients they have. </p> <p>Typically, case managers have at least a bachelor's degree, but there are many who also have master's degrees. </p> <p>Some case managers are required to be registered nurses (RNs) or licensed social workers. </p> <p>Most case managers complete a supervised internship in their field before getting a license and working independently. </p> <h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3> <p>Case managers handle a variety of responsibilities over the course of their workday. Specifics may vary depending on their clients. </p> <p>Overall, case managers can be responsible for any of the following tasks: </p> <ul><li>working with clients to identify their needs </li><li>working with other benefits workers or care providers to design treatment plans for clients </li><li>updating a client's plan to account for changes in their needs </li><li>finding community resources that can benefit their clients and helping their clients apply for those resources </li><li>empathizing with their clients and providing emotional support </li><li>advocating for their client's needs on an organizational level </li><li>helping their client navigate government and healthcare bureaucracies to get the assistance or treatment they need </li></ul><p>Being a case manager can be an emotionally draining career. Case managers need to be resilient and open-minded. </p> <p>Many case managers also use their own network of community resources and connections to assist their clients. </p> <h3 id="section---WorkEnvironment">Work Environment</h3> <p>Case managers typically work in an office setting, although they might occasionally visit their clients at home. </p> <p>They typically work full-time during regular business hours, although client needs might dictate some work on evenings or weekends. </p> <p>Many caseworkers work for government agencies that manage social benefit, or in nonprofit organizations with resources. </p> <p>Other caseworkers work in the private sector, in hospitals, for insurance companies, or for rehabilitation and nursing care centers. </p> <h3 id="section---AveragePay">Average Pay</h3> <p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't keep data for case managers specifically. </p> <p>However, they do have data for social and community service managers, which is a similar career category. </p> <p>These professionals earned an average of <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Case_Worker_Frequently_Asked_Career_Questions.html">$79,310 per year</a> in 2022, according to BLS. </p> <p>The highest paid case managers tend to work in the private sector for insurance carriers, agencies, and brokerages. </p> <p>Top paying states for case managers include the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS projects overall employment of social and community service managers will grow 12% between 2021 and 2031. </p> <p>This growth rate is much higher than the average for all occupations in the country. Around 18,000 openings a year are predicted. </p> <p>The aging population of the country, and with it a greater demand for health and social services, is fueling much of this growth. </p> <p>Additionally, there is an increase in people seeking treatment for substance abuse and addiction issues, leading to greater demand. </p> <h2 id="section---LearnAboutBecomingACaseManagerToday">Learn About Becoming a Case Manager Today</h2> <p>Contact <i>Best Accredited Colleges</i> today for more information on how to become a case manager.</p>