Case managers provide highly individualized patient care, working with the healthcare provider to evaluate patients, make recommendations for their treatment, and serve as advocates to ensure they receive the appropriate care. Most case managers are nurses or social workers, and often work with hospitals, HMOs, home health agencies or as independent consultants.

A case manager monitors not only a patient's physical health, but also their emotional and social well-being. They may also monitor family relationships, and work with a patient's loved ones to ensure everyone agrees with the treatment plan, and is dedicated to carrying it out.

Duties for a case manager may include:

1. Initial and ongoing evaluations of patients
2. Arranging for special services
3. Coordinating with a patient's family members
4. Working with other healthcare and social service professionals to provide comprehensive care
5. Managing patient records and paperwork with case management software

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find information about case management through professional associations

Whether you're new to the field, or a veteran in healthcare case management, you can find case management support and advice through professional associations for case managers.

I recommend: By joining the Case Management Society of America, you can attend the organization's programs and events, find education and certification resources, and search for case management jobs. The American Case Management Association caters to case management professionals in hospital settings, and has chapters in several states.

Take a case management class

If you're new to case management, you'll need training and perhaps certification. You can take the traditional route, by attending a community college or university, or opt for online training.

I recommend: Take case management classes at a local university, such as those offered by The Center for Human Services at the University of California's Center for Human Services. Or, receive online training through the American Academy of Case Management from the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals.

Simplify medical case management with case management software

Save time on paperwork and administrative duties--and devote it instead to patient care--by streamlining the process with case management software. This case management solution helps case managers more quickly and efficiently handle patient cases, by updating everything on their computer, rather than struggling with piles of paperwork.

I recommend: iCaseManage is a Web-based program that handles case management and billing. Casewatch Millennium, from Automated Case Management Systems, is an interactive system that accommodates multiple users.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's important to keep learning about case management, even if you've been in the industry for many years. This is a growing field, and like every other area of healthcare, trends shift frequently and quickly. Subscribe to as many professional journals as you can, so you can stay on top of the latest developments, providing your patients with the best care possible.