The job of a case manager is of great responsibility and perseverance. He or she is the one responsible for studying, analyzing, assisting, motivating, and coordinating various services as per the requirements of the clientèle. This article highlights a generic description of the job profile, and other relevant information.
The role of a case manager is of extreme significance when it comes to providing services to clients who are in need of assistance. A case manager deals with clients that are facing problems relating to physical or mental health, any form of abuse or addiction, problems related to family instability, financial settlements, poverty-related issues, etc.
There are several issues that one needs to handle when assisting clients dealing with such scenarios, which may not always be easy. One is constantly required to work with the client’s family and the service providers, acting as a mediator, to make sure that the client gets all the possible services that are required for his/her well-being.
Job Description
The job description varies according to the field of work. Various industries require the services of a case manager so that the individuals dealing with any difficulties can be catered to accordingly. A case manager is the backbone of his/her clients. The job requires him/her to know the history of the client, analyze the psychology, determine the needs, and coordinate with relevant departments or individuals to make sure that the client’s needs are fulfilled. For instance, a case manager working for mental health services will assess the patient’s mental and physical condition, and discuss the problems and treatment options with doctors. He also consults with the patient’s family members regarding what they need to do to make the life of the patient normal. He has to make every possible resource available that will be beneficial for his client’s well-being. He acts as a liaison between service providers and recipients.
The case manager puts forth a wide range of choices that help the clients get rid of their problems. The case manager then guides his clients to choose the most appropriate one according to their needs. Note that he does not take decisions and make choices on behalf of his clients.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To carefully understand the needs of the clientèle by scrutinizing their background history, understanding their current needs, and arranging for their well-being.
- To coordinate with various service providers to ensure the fulfillment of what the client needs.
- To ensure proper follow ups, and have face-to-face interactions with the clients, and other parties involved.
- To make it feasible for the client to access increased supply of services as per requirement.
- To be well-versed with various parameters that would make the activities and functions of a case manager easy to accomplish. This includes adequate knowledge about the availability of resources, the desired paperwork that needs to be done, and to adjust all these activities according to the need of the client.
- To maintain confidentiality regarding the information that the client is likely to share with the case manager.
- To keep proper records of all the work that he or she is doing. This involves records of the client’s information, the meetings held with the clients and service providers, details of the referrals that were issued, costs of the services, the plans and goals that were outlined to ensure a positive outcome, and so on.
Educational Qualifications
The educational qualifications will vary depending upon the industry you are working for. For example, a case manager working for mental health services is expected to have a bachelor’s degree along with the necessary license and registration. However, that may not be the case when you are into social services. Here are some qualifications that will help you in this career.
- A bachelor’s degree in the related field is mandatory. However, some organizations may accept an associate’s degree, as well.
- Some industries may require you to have a license or a registration, say in case of judicial case management, or a case manager in the field of nursing.
- The job of a case manager is highly challenging, which is why a majority of organizations prefer employees with at least 2 years of work experience in a related field.
- This job needs you to keep a systematic record of all the activities, transactions, and interactions that you have with various parties. Therefore, proficiency in using computer software and Internet is essential.
- Dealing with different people for different work is challenging, and to keep the exact record of it, is even more difficult. Therefore, excellent communication and documentation skills, along with the ability to convince and persuade others, while building a rapport, would prove to be of great benefit.
Additional Skills
Apart from the necessary educational qualifications, there are some additional skills that would prove to be helpful for you to perform this challenging job. These are,
- A valid license to operate motor vehicles, and have your own means of transportation. This is essential because this job demands a lot of traveling to meet various people to get the work done.
- Flexibility in terms of the working conditions, which might change as per the situation, especially when you are into social work and welfare services.
- Ability to handle stress and pressure that will be accompanied along with the functions and activities that the job demands. A case manager needs to handle multiple tasks at the same time, which is why handling stress and work-pressure efficiently is something that should come naturally to the aspirant.
- A confident personality and the ability to build rapport among the clients and the service providers one is dealing with, is something that a case manager needs to do. Therefore, confidence and knowledge about the related work profile is required.
Scope and Remuneration
It has been observed that the demand for case managers will be on a rise, not only now, but in the future, as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, case manager jobs are one of the most rapidly growing jobs in the United States of America. Study also reveals that there is a significant rise in the demand for certified case managers, especially if you are in the field of healthcare or human welfare services. The remuneration also increases for those who are certified, comparatively. On the remuneration front of a case management career, the salary depends on the location of employment, duties and obligations, and most importantly the industry.
| Salary by Experience | |
| Freshers | $26,000 – $34,000 |
| 1-4 years | $27,000 – $38,000 |
| 5-9 years | $33,000 – $52,000 |
| 10-19 years | $34,000 – $62,000 |
| Salary by State | |
| Georgia | $27,000 to $59,000 |
| Texas | $29,000 to $55,000 |
| Virginia | $29,000 to $48,000 |
| California | $33,000 to $48,000 |
| Salary by Employer Type | |
| Non-profit | $27,000 to $36,000 |
| Companies | $34,000 to $55,000 |
| Hospitals | $45,000 to $66,000 |
| Welfare Foundations | $30,000 to $45,000 |
The job is highly challenging, but highly rewarding, as well. Depending upon your qualifications and the industry, you could be hired by a private firm, or government agencies to handle various cases that require attention. Also, the feeling that you are catering your services to people who would be helpless without your assistance, is a satisfying accomplishment within itself.