CCMC opens door for case manager certification to more allied health professionals

Changes to education and experience requirements reflect new workforce needs in health care

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The demand for better coordinated, more patient-centered health care is exploding; as a result, the need for well-qualified professional case managers to achieve those goals has never been more acute. To meet this need, the Commission for Case Manager Certification® today announced changes to its eligibility criteria for case managers seeking board certification. The move is in recognition of a growing need to define the role and function of the professional case manager, regardless of practice setting.

"The CCM® is a practice-based credential that shows employers, payors and consumers that the individual passing the CCM exam has demonstrated the ability to do all essential activities that define case management--assess, plan, implement, coordinate, monitor, evaluate and measure care," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO.

Today's workforce must be prepared to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. The Affordable Care Act will ultimately extend health coverage to more than 27 million previously uninsured Americans. This will increase demand for primary care services that are already scarce in many areas. The needs of the aging Baby Boomer generation and the related increase in chronic disease also drive demand.

"There are substantial changes happening in the way health care is delivered –changes that have a direct impact on the practice of case management," Sminkey said. Patient-centered models like the medical home and accountable care organizations are gaining momentum; these models require team-based approaches. "The board-certified case manager is a key player on the multidiscipline health care team. Our credential validates the professional case manager—and the Commission's commitment to the advancement of the profession is demonstrated by our increasing recognition of the allied health disciplines' capability, knowledge, skills and experience to be effective members of the team."

The Commission's Executive Board carefully weighed these environmental factors as it changed qualification and experience eligibility criteria for case managers to sit for the exam. Revised qualification criteria are more inclusive of the allied health disciplines, such as social work, pharmacy or population health. The new education requirements open eligibility to those with a four-year degree in a health or human services area; candidates may also qualify to sit for the exam if they hold appropriate licensure or certification in a health or human services discipline.

New employment criteria underscore the focus on boots-on-the-ground experience.

"Their work experience prior to taking the exam must encompass the core components of case management--psychosocial aspects, health care reimbursement, rehabilitation, health care management and delivery, principles of practice, and case management concepts," Sminkey said. Each candidate for the CCM exam must also be able to demonstrate experience in these knowledge areas, all of which are essential to meeting the varying needs of patients across the health care continuum. "This demonstrates our commitment to the industry in ensuring the Commission's definition of case management continues to align with the IOM's definition of quality care." Experience must include direct client contact as well. 

And because the practice of case management is dynamic--changing as rapidly as health care--in order to be eligible to sit for the exam, applicants must show qualified employment experience within the past five years; previous eligibility criteria specified 10 years.

For more information, see the frequently asked questions about the eligibility changes for taking the CCM exam, or read the issue brief.

 The Commission is the nation's oldest and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies case managers. Board certification demonstrates a level of expertise in the field; it is often considered by employers as a benchmark requirement for case managers seeking leadership roles and career advancement. The Commission is currently taking applications for the upcoming certification exam; more information can be found at ccmcertification.org.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 30,000 professional case managers. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM^® credential. The Commission is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practice of case management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org, connect with CCMC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification