Find out what it takes to earn a case management certificate, which allows you to work as a certified case manager.
Do you like helping people? Already work as a nurse, social worker, or other service-oriented professional, but feel like you could do more?
You may want to consider becoming a certified case manager.
In this article, we'll talk about how to obtain a case management certificate and what you will need to do to maintain that certification.
What is a Certified Case Manager?
A certified case manager is someone who has a background in healthcare or a related field, such as nursing or social work. Certified case managers work directly with individuals to help them become more independent and gain control of their life.
Case managers often work with the following people:
- the elderly or disabled
- those rehabilitating after a devastating injury
- those with mental illnesses or who have experienced trauma
- those who are recovering from addiction
Case managers build a good working relationship with their clients to find out what their needs and goals are then to help them receive those needs and attain those goals.
They may work in hospitals, care facilities, schools, insurance firms, and correctional facilities. Their job duties can vary depending on the specific needs of individual clients.
Case managers may work long or irregular hours in a variety of settings. Many of them consider the job to be their calling because they love to help people and genuinely want to make the world a better place.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social and community service managers, the umbrella term which includes case managers, earn a median income of around $74,000 a year.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsToEarnACaseManagementCertificate">What Are the Requirements to Earn a Case Management Certificate?</h2><p>Nearly all case managers receive some form of certification at some point in their careers. This allows them to pursue higher-paying opportunities and leadership roles.
</p><p>There are different types of case manager certifications available, and all of them have slightly different requirements.
</p><p>Let's take a look at some of the most common certifications available and the organizations that offer them.
</p><h3 id="section---CertifiedCaseManagerCCM">Certified Case Manager (CCM)</h3><p>The CCM is offered by the Commission for Case Manager Certification and may be considered the gold standard for case management certifications.
</p><p>This certification requires a combination of proven work and educational experience. Those who are already licensed as a pharmacist, nurse, or social worker are eligible for the certification, as well as those who have received a degree in a health or social services field.
</p><p>Applicants must also provide proof of 12 to 24 months of case management experience.
</p><h3 id="section---AmericanNursesCredentialingCenterANCC">American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)</h3><p>The American Nurses Credentialing Center, or ANCC, provides certification to registered nurses looking to become case managers.
</p><p>Those hoping to receive this certification must have an active registered nursing license and at least two years of <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Nursing_FAQs.html">nursing experience</a>.
</p><p>Additionally, applicants must have received at least 30 hours of nursing case management education and received at least 2,000 hours of clinical work experience in this field.
</p><h3 id="section---AccreditedCaseManagerACM">Accredited Case Manager (ACM)</h3><p>The Accredited Case Manager is available through the American Case Management Association.
</p><p>Only registered nurses and social workers are eligible for this credential. Nurses must be licensed, and social workers must show proof of their social work degree or license.
</p><p>Those applying for this certification must also have at least 2,080 hours of verifiable experience as a case manager in a healthcare setting. The experience must be paid work hours, not internships.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatAreTheJobRequirementsForACertifiedCaseManager">What are the Job Requirements for a Certified Case Manager?</h2><p>Receiving certification clearly requires a lot of training and experience, especially in nursing, social work, or other fields.
</p><p><b>To get a job as a certified case manager, you will probably need to have the following:</b>
</p><ul><li>a Bachelor of Science in social work, nursing, or a related field
</li><li>an active license in social work or nursing
</li><li>clinical experience in nursing, social work, or a related field
</li></ul><p>Depending on the particular certification you receive, you may also have to work internships or receive supervised on-the-job training as a case manager.
</p><p>Getting certified can help those who already work as case managers to move into leadership roles, allowing them to supervise and help train future certified case managers.
</p><p>It can also help those working in related fields, such as nursing and social work, take their career to the next level with new opportunities in case management.
</p><p>To maintain certification, case managers must receive continuing education to stay up-to-date on changes within their field. They may need to take or repeat examinations, depending on their particular certification.
</p><p>Finally, certified case managers may need to obtain a state license to work within their state. Not all states require this license, so it is important to find out about the requirements in your particular area.
</p><h2 id="section---EarnYourCaseManagementCertificateToday">Earn Your Case Management Certificate Today</h2><p>If you are looking to earn your case management certificate, consider any of the three credentials outlined in this article. Each certification requires both education and work experience, with some also requiring proof of existing licenses as well.</p>
