How to Become a Case Manager: 5-Step Guide
Would you like a career as an advocate for patient wellness? If so, then entering into the field of case management may be for you. Social work case managers ensure patients can access the resources they need to improve their quality of life or reach autonomy or independence.
“First and foremost, a successful case manager should be passionate about helping others navigate systems and meet their needs,” says Melissa Bronstein, licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and psychotherapist. “Ideally, a case manager is a strong communicator, organized, empathetic, and has a deep knowledge of resources and systems.”
In this guide, we’ll outline how to become a case manager, share relevant roles and salary data, and detail job responsibilities.
How to Become a Case Manager in 5 Steps
By following the steps below, you can gain the necessary interviewing, communication, empathy, advocacy, and teaching skills to pursue a career in case management and serve people in need.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree:
While you can find entry-level case management work with an associate degree, you can expand your options by earning a bachelor’s degree.
“You’ll need at least an associate degree to find entry-level social work case management roles,” says Bronstein. “However, many roles require a bachelor’s degree in human services, sociology, social work, or psychology.”
You’ll typically spend four years in your bachelor’s program as a full-time student. Whether you enroll full time or part time, you’ll have to earn around 120 credits.
Consider Earning a Master’s Degree:
While a master’s degree in social work (MSW) is not always required for a case management career, these programs typically only take 2-3 years to complete, shorter if you can find an accelerated program.
“An advanced degree would allow you to gain deeper experience and expertise and enrich your knowledge base,” says Bronstein. “It may also allow you more job opportunities and potentially higher rates of pay.”
Gain Experience:
After your bachelor’s program, you’ll need to complete a year or two of relevant work experience. Many pursue entry-level positions like case manager or social work assistant.
You also have the option to apply for internships with mental health, healthcare, nonprofit, or government organizations. Internships can help you improve your case management skills and give you work experience that can improve your resume, similar to entry-level jobs.
Complete Licensure Requirements:
Each state has different licensure requirements for case managers, but you may need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. Remember that no matter where you’re located, you must have licensure in the state where your patients are located, even if you only provide telehealth services.
Consider a Certification:
Certifications are not always required but can bolster your skills and prove your expertise. You can also often qualify for higher-paying roles. Consider the following certifications:
- Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS)
- Accredited Case Manager (ACM)
- Certified Advanced Social Worker Case Manager (C-ASWCM)
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
How Long Does It Take to Become a Case Manager?
On average, becoming a case manager takes 5-7 years. Most professionals earn a four-year bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or healthcare administration. If you earn a master’s degree, you’ll add 1-3 years to the learning process.
After you earn your degree, consider gaining at least one or two years of work experience in entry-level roles before you work as a case manager. These roles include social and community service assistant, social work assistant, and healthcare support.
| Job | Time to Become | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 0-1 years | High school diploma; certificate or associate degree may also be required |
| Health Education Specialists | Four years | Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, healthcare, or business; master’s or doctoral degree may be required for some roles |
| Social and Community Service Managers | Fewer than five years | Bachelor’s degree in social work or related social services field; master’s degree may be required for some roles |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | Fewer than five years | Bachelor’s degree in healthcare-related field; some employers may only require an associate degree, while others may require a master’s degree |
| Social Workers | Around six years | Bachelor’s degree in social work; master’s degree in social work often required, particularly for clinical roles |
What Does a Case Manager Do?
Here are some of the typical duties of a case manager:
- Create and coordinate patients’ service plans
- Keep track of patients’ service plans to monitor their progress
- Perform assessments to identify patients’ strengths and needs
- Identify and coordinate access to housing, healthcare, education, employment, and social services
- Facilitate treatment and care through scheduling and case coordination
- Collaborate with teams of social workers and behavioral health professionals
- Advocate for patients to help them achieve their goals and access necessary services
- Maintain proper documentation to comply with policies and regulations
How Much Does a Case Manager Make?
Here are some common case manager roles with median annual salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2023:
- Social and Human Service Assistants: $41,410
- Health Education Specialists: $62,860
- Social and Community Service Manager: $77,030
- Medical and Health Service Managers: $110,680
- Social Workers: $58,380
Is Becoming a Case Manager Right for You?
Pros of Becoming a Case Manager
- Case management is a helping profession. You can find job satisfaction with steady pay while making changes in patients’ lives.
- As a case manager, you can work in a variety of environments, and your role may include traveling between cities and states.
- Many case managers work from home via telehealth. So if you’re looking for flexibility and are skilled in providing online services, you can seek a remote case management role.
Cons of Becoming a Case Manager
- Before you become a case manager, you may need to meet licensing requirements, which adds more time and effort to the journey. Not all roles require this, but if you want to work in healthcare or social work, then you’ll need to be licensed.
- As a case manager, you’ll deal with a lot of documentation, which can become a burden, especially if you see a lot of patients. However, these records and other documentation are necessary for tracking patients’ progress toward their goals.
- As a case manager, you’ll have many administrative tasks, from tracking expenses to developing and managing goals, which can lead to career burnout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Case Manager
You’ll typically need at least an associate degree to find entry-level social work case management roles. However, many roles require a bachelor’s degree in human services, sociology, social work, or psychology.
While not required, there are several options you can pursue to find specialized and advanced roles. For example, earning a master’s degree in social work (MSW) can lead to management roles.
Otherwise, you can find internships that will allow you to work with professional case managers and social workers. Certifications such as Accredited Case Manager (ACM) and Certified Case Manager (CCM) can also boost your chances of finding a case manager role.
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