How to Become a Clinical Case Manager
A clinical case manager is usually the first point of contact for an individual in crisis. Clinical case managers work on cases ranging from a domestic dispute to a child endangerment threat, so you have the power to change lives for the better.
Depending on your place of employment, you may work on a specific case type, such as drug rehabilitation, eating disorders, or child abuse. Regardless of the site you work, your job is to evaluate the needs of the client. Clinical case managers perform assessments that help to pinpoint what the problem is. Is the client addicted to drugs or alcohol? Is there mental, physical, or verbal abuse in the home? Does he need medication for a mental or physical illness? (Zippia.com).
Once the problem is understood, the clinical case manager works on solutions. If the patient is in the hospital, you may monitor their progress, direct family, and the individual to counseling, and keep records of all actions taken on the case.
Becoming a clinical case manager requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, and you need to have at least two years of supervised clinical experience after your graduate degree. Do you want to work as a clinical case manager? Keep reading to learn more about this growing and fascinating profession.
What Is Clinical Case Management?
Clinical case management is a collaborative healthcare process of assessment, planning, facilitation, coordination of care, evaluation, and advocacy to meet the patient’s healthcare needs through communication and available resources to ensure patient safety, quality care, and cost-effective results. (CMSA.org).
The underlying premise of clinical case management is based on the idea that when the patient obtains the highest level of capability and wellness, all people benefit: the patient, the support system, health delivery system, and assorted reimbursement sources.
Clinical case management is a means to achieve optimum patient wellness and autonomy via advocacy, education, communication, pinpointing patient resources, and service facilitation. The clinical case manager also finds appropriate providers and facilities in the healthcare services field, while making sure all possible resources are being used in an efficient manner to achieve optimum value for the patient and the reimbursement department.
Case management services are offered in a way that allows full communication between the clinical case manager, the patient, and service personnel to optimize the healthcare outcome for all stakeholders.
What Does a Clinical Case Manager Do?
As a clinical case manager, you will do most of the following: (Workable.com)
- Provide and coordinate patient care that is timely, effective, safe, efficient, and equitable.
- Draft service plans, handle clinical case assignments, review case progress, and determine case closure.
- Help clinical clients achieve autonomy and wellness.
- Facilitate other case aspects, cush as information sharing and case coordination.
- Assist patients to make good decisions by being their advocate regarding client status and treatment choices.
- Develop strong working relationships and partner with medical team during the case management process.
- Interact with clinical patients and record their progress to ensure satisfaction.
- Promote cost-effective interventions and outcomes.
- Use clinical case manager professional standards as laid out in rules, protocols, and regulations.
- Assess and deal with psychosocial and motivational issues.
Where Do Clinical Case Managers Work?
There are 751,900 social workers and clinical case managers working throughout the U.S., with jobs distributed across the following specialty practice settings:
- Child, family, and school social workers – 365,900 professionals
- Healthcare social workers – 193,200 professionals
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers – 123,700 professionals
- All other social workers – 69,000 professionals
The largest employers of social workers are:
- Individual and family services: 18%
- Local government excluding education and hospitals: 14%
- State government excluding education and hospitals: 12%
- State, local, and private educational services : 10%
- Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services: 3%
What Is the Job Outlook for Clinical Case Managers?
The BLS projects that the number of jobs for social workers and clinical case managers should grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033. Higher demand for social and healthcare services will in turn boost the demand for social workers.
Specifically, employment for child, family, and school social workers should grow by 4.9% over that time. Child and family social workers often work as clinical case managers, helping families by boosting parenting skills, intervening when child abuse is suspected, and finding alternative homes for children who cannot live with their natural families.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Social Workers, Child, Family, and School Social Workers, and Healthcare Social Workers is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2025.
How Can You Become a Clinical Case Manager?
Working as a clinical case manager generally requires a bachelor’s degree in social work, but clinical or healthcare social workers must have a master’s degree and two years of work experience in a supervised clinical environment. Some employers will hire you if you have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as sociology or psychology.
If you earn a master’s degree in social work, you will be required to complete a practicum or internship.
What Do Exams and Licensing Involve?
Most states mandate that clinical social workers have a license. But some states have exemptions for clinical social workers who are employed in government agencies. To be a licensed social worker, it is required to have a master’s degree in social work and a minimum of two years of supervised clinical work experience after you graduate. After completing this supervised experience, you must pass a clinical examination to earn your license.
Because licensing requirements vary by state, those interested in becoming clinical case managers should talk to their state licensure board. You can learn more about each state’s regulatory license board by visiting the Association of School Work Boards.
Becoming a clinical case manager is an exciting career option, given the burgeoning demand for all types of social workers. Now that you have a better idea of what clinical case managers do, you can learn more about online degree options on this site. Please contact us if you have any questions.