How Do I Become A Case Manager?

If you have great organizational abilities and enjoy caring for patients, then you may enjoy the opportunity to become a case manager. As a case manager, you will be responsible for coordinating the cases of patients in the hospital. You will need to help coordinate care for patients who have major illnesses. You will need to oversee every aspect of the patient’s case. From monitoring his or her treatment to monitoring the responses of the patient, you will need to ensure that the patient is not facing any issues in his or her care. If you do notice that a patient is beginning to suffer adverse effects from a medication, then you will need to note that in the patient’s file. You may need to consult with the doctor who is working on his or her case. You will need to figure out how to move forward in the patient’s treatment. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a case manager?” If you want to become a case manager, then you should be ready to work in a highly stressful atmosphere and obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

What’s it like to be a case manager?

As a case manager, you will be able to oversee a variety of patient files at once. You will probably work long hours, and there may be times when you need to work additional hours over a 40-hour work week. You will need to check up on patients on a regular basis. You will need to make sure that all of your patients are receiving the appropriate medications and treatments. You may need to actually meet with patients to see whether they are receiving adequate care. You will take notes on their progress, and you will report to a supervisor and doctor. You will need to tell the doctor about any changes that you noticed in the patient’s behavior and health. Being a case manager can be stressful during times in which a hospital receives a high influx of patients.

Education Requirements

If you want to become a case manager, then you should seek to obtain your bachelor’s degree in nursing. It will probably take about four years for you to receive your bachelor’s degree in nursing. After you receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then you should go ahead and seek to obtain a certification in nursing. You should obtain a certificate in case management studies. A certificate program will usually only take a year for you to complete. You may also be able to complete this type of certificate program online.

Salary & How to Get a Job

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect to earn $55,000 to $65,000 a year as a case manager. You should be sure to contact a local hospital if you wish to apply for a position as a case manager. You should try to gain internship experience prior to submitting applications for a position as a case manager. In an internship, you will be able to learn about the ways in which you should handle the cases of patients. You may even be able to assist with the care of a few patients. You may also be able to apply for positions at private medical offices. If you ultimately work in a private medical office, then you will likely earn a higher salary. You will only be responsible for working with a few patients at one time. If you work in a public hospital, then you will likely have more responsibilities in working with multiple patients.