How Do I Become a Case Manager?

A case manager is someone who oversees treatment for a family or individual; in most cases, it refers to a type of social worker. In order to become a case manager, you will need to complete post-secondary educational requirements. The minimal educational requirement is usually a bachelor's degree, but, if you wish to advance your career, further education is typically necessary. You will also need to obtain an appropriate license based upon the amount of education you obtain and the place you are working, and participating in credentialing programs will be very beneficial. There are also some typical characteristic traits and skills that most case managers have in common.

People who want to become a case manager must complete a bachelor's degree that has a concentration in social work. The courses you will complete during your degree program usually include research methods, human behavior, cultural diversity, social justice, and more. A master's degree or Ph.D. will typically be necessary if you want to advance your career to a case manager supervisor or human resource manager. In addition to a college degree, you will also likely have to complete a number of hours of supervised field instruction. When choosing to obtain a master's or doctorate degree in social work, you will also usually need to complete a set number of hours of internship experience.

No matter what type of degree you obtain to become a case manager, within the United States you must also obtain a license to perform your job duties. For each state where you want to work, you must be licensed, and there are four different categories of licenses. Each license is based on how much experience you have; they include a bachelor's, master's, advanced generalist, and clinical case manager license. Mandatory licensing requirements vary by state, so check to see what you will need for the geographical location you will be working. Keep in mind, if you prefer to obtain a clinical case manager license, you will have to gain many hours of internship or supervised hours.

Many case managers take part in credentialing programs, and they can be very beneficial, especially when seeking to advance your career. There are three different credentials that can be obtained through the National Association of Social Workers program that is located within the United States. No matter what type credential you get, you must renew it every two years.

Possessing nurturing and patient qualities is essential in becoming an effective case manager. You will most likely be performing a number of home visits to your clients, so you should also like to travel and be willing to work long days. There are many different directions you can go in if you become a case manager, so choose one that most compliments your personality and preferences. You may have the opportunity to work within mental or drug abuse centers, child custody offices, unemployment offices, and more.