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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a care manager. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a care manager.

 

Who is a Care Manager?

A care manager is a healthcare practitioner who assesses patients’ needs and creates tailored care plans. Care managers oversee business operations and patient care at institutions, such as nursing homes, where they serve as supervisors. Additionally known as a care coordinator and patient care manager. These experts are crucial to the success of the program since they serve as the patient’s primary point of contact with the practice.

A Care Manager is a qualified facilitator who can provide guidance and information about the variety of local elder care and service options. Care Managers are well-versed in not just the available services, but also the pricing and quality of various providers. In a manner analogous to that of a financial advisor, the individuals holding these offices assist the elderly and their families in comprehending and selecting the most appropriate solutions for elder care. Their considerable expertise helps them to decide the type of care that best meets the requirements of their patients and their families.

Care Managers are responsible for aiding patients who have been diagnosed with serious diseases, who are recovering from a traumatic clinical incident, or who are managing multiple clinical issues. They are responsible for communicating with physicians, managing prescriptions, and researching alternate treatment options for patients.

 

Care Manager Job Description

Below are the care manager job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a care manager job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

• Creating and maintaining tailored patient care programs.
• Identifying and recruiting qualified medical personnel.
• Developing patient treatment regimens in partnership with the patient’s family, friends, and social network.
• Interacting with other healthcare experts to improve patient care.
• Ensuring patients’ treatment requirements are addressed.
• Providing alternate treatment options when a patient’s service request does not meet medical necessity requirements
• Instructing and educating patients on procedures, provider instructions, and referrals.
• Assisting patients in gaining access to social services programs and benefits, such as translation and transportation assistance.
• Following up with patients to check their progress, promote continuity of care, and ensure superior health outcomes.
• Facilitating the delivery of high-quality, person-centered care by keeping track of case management activities.
• Managing budgets and the financial effectiveness of the organization.
• Recruiting, training, and managing staff, as well as holding a position of visible leadership.
• Presiding over meetings and providing.
• Coordinating medical care, including the provision of assessments, creation of care plans, and monitoring of drug adherence.
• Providing patients and their families with information, advocacy, and support.
• Organizing and supervising in-home care and additional services.
• Providing financial, medical, and legal issues that are examined and referred to specialists to prevent future problems.
• Serving as a mediator between the client and their relatives, particularly if the family is geographically far.
• Conducting routine patient checkups and reevaluations frequently.
• Assisting the regional manager in client care delivery and ensuring that all significant client and caregiver milestones are met on time.
• Conducting client evaluations and assuming responsibility for customer setup from the moment of sale until the client’s start date, including but not limited to accompanying documentation and system data.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards by effectively resolving cases with solutions, resulting in positive inspection outcomes.
• Establishing and maintaining care-related documentation, ensuring that all necessary activities are completed on time, and employing the proper systems.
• Establishing efficient communication with the key personnel involved in providing care in placements.
• Assuring/guaranteeing that correct event reporting is completed.
• Identifying and recruiting qualified medical personnel.
• Ensuring that all contacts with clients and caregivers are recorded in the CRM identifying customers requiring a high level of help and care for the RM
• Assisting the Partnerships Manager in ensuring that the identified Partnerships deliverables are executed as required.
• Assisting and taking part in the on-call function, which may include weekend labor.
• Notifying families if a change necessitates additional support or a problem that must be rectified occurs.
• Assisting families in determining the requirements of their loved ones for counseling or relocation to a facility that provides more daily care, such as an assisted living community or nursing home.
• Providing families with services, family support, and communication.
• Examining the unique and ever-changing needs of clients and providing services that prevent problems in advance.
• Developing a relationship with patients.
• Serving as advocates and ambassadors for the health of patients.
• Connecting patients with social and community support networks for continued care.
• Developing software skills for intelligent care management that will improve performance.
• Setting up regular meetings with the patient’s caregivers, doctors, and specialists.
• Identifying patient care conflicts and selecting the best course of action.
• Ensuring that everyone has access to the most recent information and test results.
• Maintaining a flow of patient-specific data.
• Supervising the implementation of a patient’s medical plan.
• Identifying issues beforehand and taking appropriate measures.
• Maintaining accurate and full patient records.
• Coordinating with other Care Managers to ensure maximum budget compliance.
• Collaborating with the clinical practice to manage patients necessitates a strong working relationship.
• Complying with quality standards and health and safety legislation.
• Assuring that all regulatory actions, including personal care and medicine administration, are conducted following regulations.
• Providing families of patients with information, direction, and assistance.
• Planning activities for residents and actively encouraging their independence.
• Protecting and improving children’s welfare.
• Communicating with local officials, health professionals, and other child-care specialists.
• Addressing patient protection and complaint concerns.
• Participating in care planning, legal assessment of cases, and case conferences.
• Supporting clients’ emotional and behavioral needs.
• Communicating with healthcare providers to speed up the treatment of patients.
• Evaluating new referrals and inductions.
• Answering calls and obtaining patient messages.
• Implementing appropriate triage and routine escalation
• Identifying, evaluating, and correcting gaps in clinical and non-clinical patient care.
• Conducting proactive telephone consultations to screen for new issues, reassess the patient, change the care plan, and measure progress.
• Assessing symptom changes and determining future steps.
• Informing patients and their families about alternative treatment options, including cost, efficacy, and potential adverse effects.
• Coordinating the delivery of clinical and community services.
• Documenting the patient’s choices, if applicable, utilizing documentation from Advanced Care Planning
• Interacting with the patient’s family, healthcare practitioners, and other facilities as a liaison and advocate.
• Participating in chart reviews and grand rounds for the coordination of treatment for difficult patients
• Directing and supervising personnel so that they can do their responsibilities safely and competently.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, social work, nursing, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree in a field connected to medicine.
• At least two years of experience in public health or a closely related field.
• 1+ years of active case management experience.
• Certification as a Certified Case Manager (CCM) is desired.
• Competent with Healthcare Management Systems as well as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent organizing skills.
• Capacity to manage several patients and tasks simultaneously.
• Highly effective written and spoken communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work beyond normal business hours.
• Exhibit a calm and soothing bedside manner.

 

Essential Skills

• Communication expertise

Care Managers serve as the primary liaison between executives (or owners), workers, and patients. Although each of these groups demands a distinct communication strategy, they are all vital. A Care Manager must be able to adapt his or her communication style to the individual or group with whom he or she is conferring and employ the appropriate tact. During the hiring, onboarding, and training of new employees, communication must be precise and unambiguous. Among the many responsibilities of a care manager are the development of contracts and recruitment negotiations. The construction of well-defined and ordered textual instructions as well as position-specific manuals is required for the production of training materials. To guarantee that all team members share the same vision, a care manager must also effectively convey the company’s goals and values to new hires. A delicate balance may be required to communicate in a meaningful and effective manner when doing associate assessments and addressing associate disagreements. The care manager must conduct reviews in a way that promotes growth and skill development and must address conflicts with regard and fairness. A care manager should constantly make staff feel as though they have someone to confide in. Frequently, care managers conduct meetings to present updates and company success. Communicating with executives/owners in person or via email ensures that the company’s vision is well-understood and that it has the resources necessary to achieve its goals. In addition, the care manager is typically responsible for maintaining commercial relationships and interacting with partners. Emerging patient issues may demand the care manager to assume responsibility and resolve difficulties under adverse circumstances. To be effective within this particular field of healthcare, a care manager must know the needs of the patient group. These officials must also be able to resolve patient complaints and assist with patient services by engaging with patients, their families, and the care team.

• Teamwork

Care managers are team members, even though they are the team leader. The team leader must encourage the participation of other team members and foster a non-judgmental environment in which individuals feel their opinions are valued and they are not afraid to contribute. Effective project management requires the ability to remain open to and appropriately absorb the ideas of others. Once the team leader is aware of the members’ skill sets and abilities, they should delegate and allow others to assume leadership roles. Permitting individuals to shine and embrace responsibility is the essence of teamwork and responsibility. Keeping others on a path of personal and professional growth is an essential managerial objective. It is at the discretion of the care manager to recognize staff who exceed expectations and celebrate their achievements. Possessing a happy attitude is contagious; consequently, a care manager must be a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. Increasing employee job satisfaction motivates them to represent the organization to their friends and potential patients. Employees who are motivated are also more productive and efficient; the more efficiently the system runs, the better the patient’s health outcomes.

 

• Time management skills

A care manager must, among other duties, reconcile medications, update patient care plans, and coordinate additional workers daily. Even a small patient population may have overwhelming requirements. Managing a moderate to substantial program will necessitate constant organization and concentration. When so many patients require care, effective time management will help avert serious consequences. Additionally, it will aid in the prioritization of personal and staff activities. This skill is directly related to multitasking ability. When juggling multiple projects, it may be difficult to maintain perspective on the big picture and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Care managers must be able to delegate responsibilities to others and supervise multiple personnel and projects simultaneously to achieve efficiency. Similarly, a care manager must be able to identify the most critical projects and direct personnel accordingly.

 

• Comprehensive Clinical Know-How

Rarely will the care manager possess the same level of medical competence as the contracted physicians (unless it was a prior career for them). Therefore, the care manager must develop a keen understanding of patient needs relative to the organization’s resources. A thorough understanding of healthcare promotes communication between managers, staff, and patients and lends validity to the manager’s decisions. When management is presented with analytical medical data, they must understand when and where to apply it. A knowledgeable decision-maker ensures that the team will continue to improve its efficacy and care. Those with extensive medical experience, however, can be effective in this job. The majority of care managers’ time is spent speaking with patients enrolled in programs by phone or video call. They serve as the principal point of contact at the site of the provider. This raises concerns. Medical questions. Patients will enquire feedback on their medical conditions. They expect to chat with a qualified, credentialed expert who can provide valuable insight. Even though a care manager is neither a licensed physician nor a nurse practitioner, he or she is obliged to respond in such situations. A comprehensive applied clinical understanding is advantageous. In addition, services such as software for care management can provide conversation starters for common conditions by presenting themes for discussion. Given the preceding, it is reasonable to assume that your patients will expect to communicate with an expert to some degree. The availability of this resource sets them and your practice for success as a care manager.

• Recognizing the position

Although clinical knowledge is crucial for care managers, they are not actual medical providers. In addition, an example would be giving dietary advice when you are not qualified to do so. You cannot rely on personal beliefs while making recommendations. There will be minimal interaction between the medical practitioner and program participants. However, the provider directs both the patient’s actions and the care manager’s coordination. The care manager reports directly to the provider. They are their middleman. Someone who can readily expand your reach is required to fulfill this function.

• Persistence

A care manager must call their practice’s patients once each month. Occasionally on multiple occasions. Occasionally, patients will not return your calls! However, with persistence, you can prevail. As a professional care manager, you must be determined to overcome this common obstacle.

• Empathetic

Probably the most important attribute a person can possess. Patients are interacted with by a care manager. Those who are in precarious situations. They rely on your medical professional to enhance their health. In this instance, the interaction takes place by telephone. A care manager must demonstrate compassion. A care manager must have a kind heart and the ability to put another person at ease and must be able to imagine themselves as a patient. Empathy offers the motivation to do so, just as it inspires individuals to complete their professional duties. A care manager will report to work each day because they feel driven to assist someone in meeting their health care requirements. Individuals and their families frequently experience excessive tension and worry with healthcare, which can exacerbate already tough circumstances. When anything goes wrong, empathy and compassion for patients are crucial managerial skills. To provide adequate medical care, compassion must also comprise high ethical standards and the capacity to empathize with individuals of all backgrounds and views.

 

How to Become a Care Manager

• Education

Candidates for the position of care manager must hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year program in an area such as public health, health information management, or a related field. To boost their work opportunities, students can pursue a master’s degree in a related profession. The curriculum of degree programs includes topics such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, human development, social welfare policies, and programs, etc.

Fundamental nursing courses in a BSN program typically include the following topics:

• • Specialist nursing care
  • Health assessment
  • Domestic caregiving
  • Medical and surgical care
  • Nursing management
  • Social care nursing

The National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM) requires applicants to hold either an associate’s degree in social work, counseling, nursing, public health, or an equivalent discipline, or an RN diploma, to be eligible for certification. Typically, coursework and an internship are required for associate’s degree programs in social and community health. These two-year degrees cover topics such as lifetime health, anatomy, physiology, and social welfare programs. Diploma programs for registered nurses last around one year. These programs include, among others, courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, and chemistry.

• Licensure

All states need care Managers to earn a license, which is commonly obtained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) conducted by the National Council State Boards of Nursing.

• Job Experience

The NACCM demands that diploma and associate’s degree holders have at least three years of supervisory care management experience and two years of direct patient care experience in a field such as social work, mental health counseling, or care management before applying for certification. This involves the accumulation of at least five years of work experience distributed following NACCM’s guidelines.

• Certification

Although certification is optional for Care Managers, it would be helpful to gain it. The American Health Information Management Association provides certification in health information management, whereas the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management provides certification in medical management. In addition, the American College of Health Care Administrators offers Certified Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Assisted Living Administrator certificates.

 

Where to Work as a Care Manager

• Private residential care facility.
• Nursing facilities.
• Local administrations.
• Charities
• Volunteering.
• Senior living communities or nursing homes
• Affordable housing (combines housing with support services for vulnerable people – both adults and young adults)
• In-home hospice care for children.
• Health care facilities.
• Housing assistance for disadvantaged individuals.
• Childcare centers.

 

Care Manager Salary Scale

In the United States, the average annual salary for a Care Manager is approximately $83,000. However, the annual income range for a Care Manager is between $75,000 and $99,000.

In Nigeria, a Care Manager’s average monthly compensation is between 206,000 NGN and 397,000 NGN.

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