Medical Case Management Certification and Classes

<p>Medical case management refers to the planning, organizing and directing the delivery of healthcare services. Training for this field starts with acquiring a bachelor's degree, possibly followed by a master's degree. Work experience can be used in lieu of a master's degree, or your employer may require you to become certified as an accredited case manager. These individuals might be employed by hospitals, private clinics or nursing homes. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degrees</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree required, master's preferred</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Certification</b> </td><td> Available through the American Case Management Association</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Healthcare research, organizational communications, pharmacology, healthcare law and ethics, healthcare organizations and systems</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: Davenport University, American Case Management Association</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeed">What Education Do I Need?</h3> <p>To work in medical case management, you likely need at least a bachelor's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, some positions require a master's degree. You will usually also need some amount of work experience in the field. Individuals working in a nursing home may need to be licensed. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatClassesWillIStudy">What Classes Will I Study?</h3> <p>At the bachelor's degree level, you might complete a Bachelor of Science in Medical Case Management or Bachelor of Science in Medical Management program. These programs are available both in person and online and may include a practicum. In these programs, you might take classes in: </p> <ul><li>Disability case management </li><li>Organizational communication </li><li>Statistics </li><li>Human development </li><li>Healthcare research </li></ul><p>At the master's degree level, you might complete a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Case Management or a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on case management. In the former program, you might study subjects like counseling theories, rehabilitation research methods and medical case management. You might also complete an internship. In the latter type of program, you might study topics like life care planning and healthcare systems. These programs are available online and in person. </p> <p>You can also earn a post-baccalaureate certificate in medical case management. In this program, which may be offered online, you learn about casework reporting techniques and prepare for certification in the field. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCertificationCanIEarn">What Certification Can I Earn?</h3> <p>The American Case Management Association offers voluntary certification as an Accredited Case Manager (ACM). To earn this certification, you must be a licensed registered nurse or possess a degree from an accredited social worker program, have at least two years' experience working in a hospital or health system case management and pass an exam. </p> <p>The Commission for Case Manager Certification offers a board-certified case manager credential. To earn this credential, you must be licensed or certified in a field that supports clients' physical or psychological well-being, such as nursing or social work, and have 12 to 24 months of case management experience. You must also pass an exam.</p>