To become a case manager with no experience, you need to determine what type of caseworker you want to be, earn a bachelor's or master's degree, and gain an internship in the field.
For more details on these steps and others, you can take to become a case manager with no experience, reference this guide:
Determine what type of caseworker you want to be. Before you get an education in the field you need to figure out what type of specialty you want to pursue in case management.
You need to do this because some case managers need specialized degrees to perform their job, while others only need standard degrees. Nurse case managers, for example, not only need education in nursing but also need licensure to practice the profession.
See AlsoIs Getting An MSW Worth It? | Regis College Online13 Pros and Cons of Being a Social WorkerHealth Care Archives - Insight Digital MagazineDuties and Types of Case ManagersHere are some of the different fields in case management:
Nurse case managers work in hospitals and other long-term medical facilities. They manage a patient's treatment plans. Nurse case managers have backgrounds as registered nurses. This qualifies them to plan care options for patients from the time they are admitted into a hospital or medical setting until they are discharged.
Rehabilitation case managers generally work in rehab environments, this could be drug rehabilitation centers, physical rehabilitation centers, or other related locations, such as a social agency. Here they help their clients with addictions to drugs and alcohol, recovering from injuries or illness, or other rehabilitation related to other issues.
Disability case managers work for medical facilities or social services. They help clients by guiding them and giving them advice on their treatment and insurance options. They might also assist when a patient is transitioning back to their normal life routines. In some cases, they will also help to facilitate the disability renovations needed at their workplace or their home.
Education case managers are advocates for students with Down Syndrome, autism, dyslexia, and other disabilities or conditions that make learning in a traditional school environment difficult. They seek to make sure these types of students have adequate access to the proper resources such as individualized education programs (IEPs).
Earn a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. Once you have determined what type of case manager you want to be you can then start applying to colleges and universities to get the education that is needed.
The absolute minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree, however, this may differ for certain fields of case management. Typical majors for aspiring case managers include social work, sociology, psychology, health care administration, or nursing.
This is not a requirement, however, you might want to consider getting a master's degree to increase your knowledge and expertise in a specific field of case management. This includes master's degree programs in healthcare management, case management, social work, or other specialized areas, such as mental health counseling.
Getting your master's degree will open you up to more job possibilities in the field. It is also likely to make you a stronger candidate for employers and allow you to apply for higher-paying jobs as a case manager.
Gain an internship in case management. While getting your bachelor's or master's degree it is important to apply for case management internships.
Internship programs in case management allow you to gain hands-on experience and work alongside social workers and case managers. They are invaluable learning and networking opportunities in the industry. This also helps to enhance your resume when you are looking for case management jobs after you graduate.
Internships also represent a great chance for you to hone in on the specific type of case management you want to have a career in.
Sometimes internships can also turn into full-time employment opportunities after you graduate. At the very least if you perform your internship well, you can use someone from this office as a solid reference.
If you are going into nurse case management, you'll need to complete one to two years of working as a registered nurse.
Other fields of case management should find you working in social work as a case management assistant or social worker assistant. No matter what the needs of your field are, you need to gain professional experience in an entry-level role before you can become a case manager.
Obtain state licensure, if necessary. Different states have different requirements for individuals wanting to be case managers. Certain states require you to gain licensure before you can legally practice. Research your own state's requirements to figure out the path you need to take.
Most aspiring case managers can find state requirements and certifications through the American Case Management Association (ACMA). To get a certification from the ACMA you need to have at least one year of professional experience, such as in social work or nursing, and you then must pass a written exam.
