Management (Nursing) Area: Birmingham, Al Educational Requirements

¶ … Management (Nursing)

Area: Birmingham, AL

Educational requirements of the position

As in all states, the state of Alabama's requirements for certified case managers is that they work with ill and injured clients serving government agencies, healthcare facilities, courts and other service providers. Their job is to create a plan that will lay out the best kind of program for these clients and by so doing improving their physical and mental well-being.

Case managers in Alabama possess the minimal requirements of a bachelor's degree, with their major being in psychology, nursing, or health (as amongst other subjects). Some may carry on to a Masters in health, human or education services or a related field.

In Alabama, as in many states, case management nursing practitioners can also be licensed registered nurses and/or have an associate's degree in health or human services. Other requirements are interning at a clinic or other relevant organization for a particular amount of time and being monitored before applying for certification or for work.

In many parts of Alabama, and in some of the most prestigious and top organizations in Birmingham, too, it is considered valuable, if not important that case managers also possess knowledge (and preferably background) in social work. Such is the case in the Select Specialty Hospital that also requires at least three (3) years of work experience in a medical case management setting. In addition "A working knowledge of the insurance industry, government reimbursement, progression of care management and discharge planning skills are required" (Career opportunities. http://www.selectspecialtyhospital.com/careers/Details.aspx?id=3417)

Certification for case managers is overseen as in all states by organizations such as the Commission for Case Manager Certification (www.ccmcertification.org). Certification requires that candidate have a recognized degree forma recognized university (the University of Alabama is one example that fits the criteria). Some of the jobs that I saw (such s the Medical Centers) required unrestricted RN license from the State of Alabama. Increasingly more I came across requirements that stipulation that candidate "possess comfort in collaborating with physicians; ability to lead and coordinate activities of a diverse group of people; demonstrated ability in problem solving and communications; and working knowledge of and basic skills with computers" (al.com). Candidate must also have a minimum amount of work experience and supervised showing progress and desire for improvement. Case managers need to be thoroughly acquainted with the National Association of Social Works Code of Ethics and the Board of Behavioral Sciences regulations as well as with all pertinent regulations and codes (EducationPortal.com)

• Employers in your area that hire nurses into this job

Some typical employers that I found were the following:

Health systems such as Baptist Health System -- "To provide transfer planning services, resource information and general assistance in the hospital" (Indeed.com)

Hospitals such as Select Specialty Hospital -- as illustrated by their "seeking a Lead Case Manager to assume responsibility for the overall functions and professional growth of the Department by contributing to Facility Policies and programs, fiscal management and payor/referral satisfaction." (http://www.selectspecialtyhospital.com/careers/Details.aspx?id=3417 )

Hospices such as New Beacon Hospice that sought a RN Case manager to be "responsible for the planning, coordination, provision and documentation of care for terminally ill patients from day of admission through day of discharge. " (New Beacon Hospice )

Medical center such as that connected with neurology (Brookwood medical Center) that sought a case manager responsible " for coordinating patient care activities to conform to evidence-based practice and/or regulatory/payor requirements" (al.com)

• Responsibilities of the nurse in this position

The case manager may work in various fields for various employers. As in all states, the state of Alabama's requirements for certified case managers is that they work with ill and injured clients serving government agencies, healthcare facilities, courts and other service providers. Their service, in other words, spans medical and social work / nursing fields. Their job is to create a plan that will lay out the best kind of program for these clients and by so doing improving their physical and mental well-being. They also ensure that all aspects of the client are coordinated so that the plan extends to all parts of the client being serviced and that a match is forged between the handling of cases and information.

Case managers in Alabama, as in all states, work as liaisons between patients and services / agency as well as between agency and families of patients and between agency and community. In all instances, they represent agencies that offer assistance, such as crisis centers, legal advocates, counselors and educational facilities.

Other responsibilities of case managers include keeping track of all documentation and case records of patients and ensuring that agencies have the appropriate information. To best carry out their work and help both client and agency, case managers are in contact with, and involve various organizations that include police, welfare agencies, health clinics and schools.