Social work case managers perform a number of important roles related to mental health and wellness. They coordinate care plans for individuals and families who need mental health, housing, medical, and other services. They also work in one of the fastest growing career fields.
Social care jobs are expected to grow 13% between 2019 and 2029, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This growth is due in part to an aging population that needs more patient services and a greater focus on treating people with substance abuse problems rather than seeking their arrest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the need for social services, as high unemployment and home and food insecurity have affected more people. an education infundamentals of social workIt is an excellent foundation for people interested in this in-demand career.
What do social services case managers do?
Social Case Managers act as care coordinators and managers. They assess the needs of clients (individuals, families, children, etc.), identify needed services, and develop a plan to deliver that care. Case managers may also be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the care and service plan.
The main difference between social workers and case managers is the delivery of services. While case managers may provide limited intake counseling, their role is to manage service delivery rather than assume social care responsibilities. After determining clients' needs and creating a plan of care, they delegate the implementation of that plan to professionals such as physicians, counselors, and others.
Social service clients may have complex needs stemming from mental and physical health issues, food and housing insecurity, transportation needs, and more. Care plans that social work case managers develop may include meeting some or all of these needs.
Typical case management responsibilities include:
- Customer Identification and Retention
- Defend the client
- biopsychosocial assessment
- Develop, coordinate and monitor a service plan
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the plan
Work setup for case managers in social care
According to the BLS, more than 25% of social work positions are classified as government employees. Most of these social services case manager positions are in state and local government agencies, as they are the primary providers of most social services. Other employers are health care organizations such as clinics or hospitals, homeless shelters, community development foundations, or other nonprofit social organizations that serve people in need. Job responsibilities vary depending on the type of client base and work environment, as shown in the examples below.
school case manager
A school case manager works with schools, parents, teachers, and children to ensure that students reach their educational goals and receive the services to which they are entitled, such as meals, counseling, and enrichment activities. They help develop programs consistent with the mission of the district and provide training to teachers and other professionals to identify and understand the needs of the student body.
Prison Case Manager
A case manager at a correctional institution develops programs for inmates and evaluates their effectiveness and quality. A case manager assesses inmates to determine their needs, track their progress, and develop release plans that give inmates the best chance for success after serving their sentence.
hospital case manager
In addition to the typical duties included in a social worker's case manager job description, a hospital case manager is responsible for admission and discharge planning in a respite care setting. She must be familiar with Medicare regulations and other insurance requirements. Responsibilities include creating plans for high-stress treatment situations such as substance abuse, mental health crises, and family counseling.
emergency shelter manager
An emergency shelter case manager works with clients who need short-term emergency shelter. The goal is to find safe and permanent housing for individuals and families. Responsibilities include identifying client needs and working with community organizations to find housing, medical care, dental care, and child development support for families.
Case manager for homeless shelters
Case managers working in organizations that serve the homeless must have a thorough understanding of the underlying causes of homelessness in their client base. Case managers work with clients to develop a self-sufficiency plan. Intake and evaluation often involves determining the client's current level and needs for income, housing, and self-sufficiency. Managers work with other agencies to find resources such as B. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment to help clients transition from homelessness to a stable environment.
Key Qualifications for Case Managers in Social Work
Social work case managers require a combination of technical and soft skills to effectively meet the needs of clients, regardless of setting. Hard skills include a foundation in social work provided through a bachelor's degree program that equips them with the theoretical and practical skills to become effective advocates for their clients. Soft skills allow them to meet the needs of their clients with compassion and grace.
Soft skills that social work case managers must master include:
- Compassion, especially when clients are facing complex issues
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to present a care plan to clients in a manner that they fully understand
- Exceptional listening skills to understand what clients need and develop a plan that works for them.
- Organizational skills to manage all the moving parts of client treatment planning and compliance.
- Cultural competence to understand and appreciate the unique perspectives of customers.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social workers need the following credentials to become a C-SWCM (Certified Social Work Case Manager):
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW); A senior case manager requires a Master of Social Work (MSW)
- A current license or pass an exam at the BSW level
- A minimum of three years and 4,500 hours of supervised paid work experience in an agency providing case management services
- Compliance with the NASW code of ethics and commitment to professional development
Salary as a social work case manager.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for all social workers as of May 2020 was $51,760. According to the PayScale website, the median salary for a social work case manager as of June 2021 was about $40,000. The most experienced case managers with 10 to 20 years of experience can have a salary range of $46,000 to $73,000. Salary ranges depend on work experience, geographic region and work environment, and level of education. Many graduates who have a BSW go on to earn an MSW to enhance their careers and earning potential.
Take a bold step towards a fulfilling career
Schools, hospitals, cities and social services will always need social workers and case managers who can provide advice and care plans to those who need it.
Are you interested in being part of an in-demand career with the opportunity to help others and make a positive difference in your community? EITHEROnline Bachelor of Social Workat the University of Maryville can be an excellent first step toward a career in social work case management.
Discover this course and the career field today.
recommended reading
Psychological Counseling vs. Social support
Improving safety in the community through social work
Police social service in emergency situations
Origins:
Career Trend, "Skills Checklist for Case Managers"
Dallas Independent School District, Koordinator I, Fallmanager
Federal Bureau of Prisons, case manager
Center for the homeless, "case management"
Houstoner Chronik, "What is a Social Work Case Manager?"
Interfaith Hospital Network of Greater Cincinnati, "Emergency Shelter Case Manager"
PlanStreet, „Social Work Case Management Guide“
NASW, Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM)
Oroville Hospital Case Manager/Medical Social Worker Job Description
PayScale, Medium Case Manager, Social Services Salary
PayScale, Median End-of-Career Case Manager, Community Service Salary
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook Handbook, Social Workers
ZipRecruiter, "What is a Social Services Case Manager and How to Become One?"
ZipRecruiter, "Where Do Social Services Case Managers Work?"
FAQs
What are the 8 responsibilities the case manager does? ›
Case manager roles and responsibilities
Finding appropriate clinical care teams best suited to each patient's needs. Coordinating care with a patient's clinical team. Assessing patients for necessary care or changes to current care plans. Coordinating with social services to aid in assessing and administering care.
- Manage case assignments, develop service plans, track progress, and execute case closures.
- Advocate for clients with advice and information about treatment options and clinical status, evaluating medical necessity and appropriating resources.
Definition of Case Management
Case Management is a dynamic process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates to improve outcomes, experiences, and value.
Case management experience means that you have worked with specific clients, helped them find and use available services, and managed the documentation of the service relationship.
What is the job description for a social work case manager? ›Social work case managers act as care coordinators and managers. They evaluate the needs of clients (individuals, families, children, etc.), identify the services needed, and create a plan to provide that care. Case managers may also be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of the care plan and services.
What are the roles of case manager in social work? ›Social work case management is a method of providing services whereby a professional social worker assesses the needs of the client and the client's family, when appropriate, and arranges, coordinates, monitors., evaluates, and advocates for a package of multiple services to meet the specific client's complex needs.
What does a case manager do on a daily basis? ›Case Manager duties and responsibilities
Assessing clients' physical and mental wellness, needs, preferences and abilities and using these to develop tailored care plans. Working with clients, family and friend support networks and health care professionals to put care plans in place.
The primary function of case managers is to advocate for clients/support systems. Case managers understand the importance of achieving quality outcomes for their clients and commit to the appropriate use of resources and empowerment of clients in a manner that is supportive and objective.
What are the five major functions of case management? ›The case management process consists of five parts: assessment, treatment planning, linking, advocacy, and monitoring.
What are the 4 types of case management? ›- The Brokerage Model Case Management.
- The Clinical Case Management Model.
- The Strengths-Based Clinical Case Management Model.
- The Intensive Case Management (ICM) Model.
What are some examples of case management? ›
Case management example
An elderly patient who recently suffered a stroke might be assigned a case manager at their hospital to ensure they get the ongoing care they need. In this situation, the case manager would act as a liaison between the patient and their health insurer.
Case managers also work as part of a team with other doctors, nurses and specialists to provide the necessary care for the patient. Active listening, reliability and problem-solving are among the qualities of a case manager that lend themselves to better collaboration.
What makes a strong case manager? ›Case managers must possess good time management skills to multitask, manage schedules and appointments, and meet deadlines. They must always keep contact lists, reference materials, and resource information easily accessible.
What skills should a case manager put on resume? ›The purpose of your case manager resume is to show off your skills which include gauging care, budgeting, planning, facilitating, evaluating medical needs, optimizing human services, and monitoring patient's health. A good case manager is always organized.
What is an example of a case manager in social work? ›For example, social work case managers in school systems access educational and psychological services for children and their families, while case managers who work with the elderly may arrange and recommend medical, financial and at-home services, such as Meals on Wheels or, in the case of terminally ill clients, ...
What is a case workers job description? ›Caseworkers Overview & Description
Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
- Three Key Principles for Effective Case Management.
- Principle #1: Building Trusting Relationships.
- Principle #2: Using Evidence-Based Practice.
- Principle #3: Empowering Your Client.
- Outreach, referral, client identification and engagement.
- Biopsychosocial and needs assessment.
- Service plan development.
- Implementation of the service plan.
- The Brokerage Case Management Model. ...
- The Clinical Case Management Model. ...
- The Strengths-Based Clinical Case Management Model.
Show empathy and understanding, while not pushing an agenda. They cautioned against pushing an agenda. Have a consistent presence in the community. Reputation, approachability, and visibility are important elements for building client engagement.
How often should a case manager meet with a client? ›
Contacting the Client to Review and Monitor the Care Plan: The case manager must make a home visit to review the care plan at least every six months, or more frequently, based upon the individual client's needs and program requirements.
What are the goals of case management? ›The goals of Case Management include the achievement of optimal health, access to care and appropriate utilization of resources, balanced with the patient's right to self-determination.
How do I become a successful case manager? ›Negotiating, collaborating, communicating, team-building, precepting, educating, and consulting are the basis of what a successful case manager brings to the care setting each day. There are skill sets every case manager and social worker needs to be effective.
What is the difference between a social worker and a case manager? ›A social worker directly provides some needed services to clients and offers referrals for other services. In contrast, a case manager will act as a plan developer and coordinator to connect clients to the services they need to overcome life challenges.
How many cases should a case manager have? ›Case managers working in provider settings (behavioral health facilities, home care, hospital or health systems, medical group/clinic settings, retail clinics, skilled nursing or long-term care facilities) consistently reported having an average caseload of 25-49 cases.
What are the 6 principles of case management? ›- Do no harm.
- Prioritise the best interests of the child.
- Non-discrimination.
- Adhere to ethical standards.
- Seek informed consent and/or informed assent.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Ensure Accountability.
As a case manager, it's vital that you aim to make patients feel like they're in charge of their treatment. You can achieve this by being available to answer questions and provide resources as needed.
What are the Four A's in case management? ›Components of an effective case management practice. A successful case management process consists of four core components: intake, needs assessment, service planning, and monitoring and evaluation.
What are the strengths of case management? ›Strengths Model Case Management is both a philosophy of practice and approach to practice embedded within specific tools and methods designed to help people: 1) identify and achieve meaningful and important life goals; and 2) increase their ability to exercise power related to how they view themselves and how they ...
What skills should a case manager have on resume? ›The purpose of your case manager resume is to show off your skills which include gauging care, budgeting, planning, facilitating, evaluating medical needs, optimizing human services, and monitoring patient's health. A good case manager is always organized.