what is a case manager?
As a case manager, your role is to collaborate with the medical team to provide patients with specialised care by coordinating the required services and professionals. Essentially, you are a healthcare professional and specialised social worker who manages and coordinates ongoing care for clinical patients, especially those with chronic illnesses who require long-term care.
Although you are not responsible for providing clinical care, you oversee that the treatment plan meets the patient's needs. You work with other healthcare professionals to enhance the patients' well-being, and you require in-depth knowledge of each case to advocate for the patients. You also collaborate with social services to manage care administration and coordinate with financial services and insurance companies to organise payments for patient treatments.
Apart from working in clinical settings, you may also work in communities. As a case manager, you assist individuals in accessing government and community services to enhance their quality of life. You can work in mining communities and with vulnerable people to ensure they receive the necessary support.
view vacanciesaverage case manager salary
If you work as a case manager, your annual salary is typically around $83,000. Starting in a junior position, your initial salary is $75,000 per year for entry-level tasks that require minimal qualifications. As you gain more skills and experience, your earnings increase due to the valuable knowledge you bring to the table. With a few years of experience, case managers can earn up to $90,000 per year.
how to increase your salary as a case manager
The compensation package for case managers is dependent on their qualifications and expertise. Although it is possible to pursue this career without formal education, your earnings may be lower compared to those with academic credentials. By taking social work and community services courses, you can enhance your knowledge of the role and increase your earning potential.
During the initial years of your career, you will be acquiring new skills and gaining experience in the role. As a result, your salary may be lower than that of a case manager with several years of experience. Additionally, the specialisation area may also impact your remuneration. For example, a home case manager may earn less than a clinical or health insurance case manager who handles multiple patients daily.
Want to know what you will earn as a case manager? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of case managers
Your job depends on your patient's needs, and some of the specialisation options available include:
- hospital case manager: as a case manager, you ensure patients receive the appropriate healthcare services. Some case managers are nurses who assess patient conditions and perform discharge planning. You also speak with the insurer to ensure the treatment options are cost-effective.
- health insurance case manager: as a case manager, you receive patient information from hospital case managers, social workers or healthcare providers. Your job is to evaluate the health insurance needs of a patient and ensure they receive the best and most affordable care.
- home health case manager: as a community or home case manager, you provide hands-on care to patients by coordinating teams and communicating with insurance companies to provide the best care. You also supervise nurses in patients’ homes and implement care plans with various service providers.
working as a case manager
As a case manager, you work with patients and their families to evaluate and coordinate care needs. Let's explore the specific responsibilities, work schedules and career outlooks of case managers.
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case manager job description
Some of the tasks of a case manager include:
- meeting with patients and families: as a case manager, you evaluate and assess a patient's needs. Before developing a care plan, you meet with the patient. You organise appointments with patients at the hospital and speak with their families to understand their specialised needs.
- discussing patient care with various professionals: as a case manager, you organise patient care to ensure they receive high-quality services. You liaise with doctors and health insurance providers to ensure the patients receive the required treatment.
- developing detailed care plans: as a case manager, you develop care plans for patients with long-term illnesses. For instance, you ensure they make it to the monthly or weekly doctor's appointments and receive the necessary medication. You also coordinate services and health providers to ensure they provide the necessary level of care.
- reviewing care programs: as a case manager, you check patients’ progress and review their care plans. If they need adjustments, you evaluate and recommend the necessary changes.
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work environment
As a case manager, your work takes you to different settings such as hospitals, clinics, and even community work environments. In hospitals, you meet with patients in their wards to discuss their care plans, while in community settings, you visit patients at their homes to oversee the care given by healthcare professionals. Some case managers work for insurance companies and meet with patients to discuss their insurance needs. As a case manager, you may need to travel to various facilities to visit patients.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include nurses, doctors and social workers. You might also be working in close proximity to mental health nurses and psychologists, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, paediatricians, care assistants, and care home managers.
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work schedule
A case manager typically works full-time hours from 9 am to 5 pm, which is up to 40 hours per week. However, if you have a lot of cases to manage, you may need to work evenings and weekends to keep up. Some employers may also offer part-time positions for those with a lighter caseload. Although working from home is possible, case managers often need to visit patients to assess their condition.
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job outlook
As a case manager, you can easily move to a social worker role and help people in community settings. You also have the opportunity to become a care home manager in a clinical setting. As a case manager, you know patient care, which prepares you for various managerial roles in social work and community services.
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advantages of finding a case manager job through randstad
Finding your case manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a case manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
Educational qualifications are not compulsory for case managers, but knowledge of community services gives you an added advantage in the job market. Some of the qualifications include:
- educational qualifications: to become a case manager, pursue a certificate in community services at a TAFE or college. There are no admission requirements for community courses. Alternatively, complete a diploma in community services. To broaden your career prospects, complete a bachelor's degree in social science, social work or community services. The degree courses take up to four years to complete.
- relevant checks: to work as a case manager, you require up-to-date immunisations. You should also meet all the relevant checks, such as the Working with Children Check or National Police Check.
case manager skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a case manager include:
- clinical skills: as a case manager, you act as the bridge between patients and doctors. Hence, you require knowledge of medical procedures to explain them accurately to patients and their families. Clinical skills also help you understand a patient’s health conditions and recommend the best care team.
- empathy: as a case manager, you benefit from understanding a patient's feelings and background. Empathy helps you relate with patients and advocate for their needs. With empathy, you can build relationships with patients since they trust and know you have their best interests at heart.
- communication skills: as a case manager, having strong communication skills is essential. Active listening is crucial in understanding patients' needs, while clear communication helps in transmitting important information to doctors, patients, and insurance companies. With excellent communication skills, you can explain complex medical information in simple terms that patients and their families can understand.
- organisation skills: as a case manager, it is important to be organised to provide the best care to patients. Organisation skills help you address patient concerns and meet all your appointments with patients and insurance companies.
- collaboration skills: as a case manager, you work with various professionals to improve the quality of life for your patients. Collaboration skills help you work with family members and insurance companies.
FAQs about working as a case manager
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a case manager.
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what is the role of a case manager?
As a case manager, your role is to oversee and coordinate the management of patients. You work towards ensuring that clinical patients receive continued care by finding the right clinical care teams. Your job involves assessing the patients' needs and ensuring they get personalised treatment. You provide high-quality care to patients with long-term treatment requirements, including those who are terminally ill.
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how much does a case manager make?
As a case manager, your role is to assist clients in resolving various issues that impact their quality of life. The salary for a case manager is typically determined by the level of complexity of the job and area of expertise. On average, a case manager earns $83,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting at $75,000 annually and experienced workers earning up to $90,000 per year.
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what skills do you require to be a case manager?
As a case manager, it's important for you to have clinical knowledge so that you can explain medical processes to your clients. Although you don't personally administer treatments, understanding a patient's condition is crucial for you to assess the care they require. Since you are responsible for numerous patients, having strong organisational skills is essential to multitasking and ensuring every patient is cared for. Additionally, active listening and communication skills are necessary for you to effectively transmit information to your patients.
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how do you become a case manager?
Although educational qualifications are not required for case managers, pursuing community services or social work courses can be beneficial. Consider obtaining a Certificate III or diploma in community services, and for managerial positions, a bachelor's degree in social work, social science, or community services is recommended. These courses typically take three to four years to complete.
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is case manager a good job?
A career as a case manager offers promising prospects as you assist clients in improving their quality of life and receiving long-term care. Additionally, this role has favourable remuneration prospects, and you can expect to earn more with career advancement.
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how do I apply for a case manager vacancy?
Applying for a case manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
