Commission for Case Manager Certification Expands Learning Opportunities, Partnerships and Advocacy on Behalf of More Than 30,000 Board-certified Case Managers

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) made important advancements in 2011, launching a new web-based learning tool and a learning network, cementing valuable partnerships and expanding its advocacy efforts. The Commission is committed to the evolution of case management, promoting quality practice, ethical standards and behavior, science-based knowledge development, and a heightened understanding of the role and function of today's professional case manager. In 2011 the organization crossed a milestone for its certification credential, the CCM®, which is now held by more than 30,000 actively practicing case managers.

This year, the Commission launched its CMLearning Network™, a hub for information about the current and future practice of high quality, patient-centered case management services. It includes resources such as webinars, issue briefs and other learning tools. The Commission also launched the Case Management Body of Knowledge™ (CMBOK®) in 2011, an online resource developed for all case managers and health care professionals across all practice settings for information about the theory, practice and process of case management. Both the CMLearning Network and CMBOK are outgrowths of the Commission's work to advance education and training of both the board-certified case manager and the professional case manager through certification, renewal and continuing education.

The Commission continues to work within its core competencies based on the findings of the CCMC Role & Functions Study fielded in 2009. Education and professional advancement efforts in 2011 included launch of certification practice exams and continuing education opportunities. The Commission also created a Career Center which links case managers and prospective employers searching for qualified personnel, all accessed via the Commission's user-friendly, redesigned web site.

The Commission formed strategic partnerships in 2011 with a range of organizations focused on health care quality standards. The Commission was inducted as a Sustaining Member of AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals. Sustaining Members are recognized as among America's finest companies that provide medical and scientific products and services to federal health care agencies.

AMSUS created the Sustaining Member designation in 1953 to bring together private health care industry representatives with key Department of Defense, Veterans Administration and Public Health Service decision makers. The Sustaining Members section is the only permanent organization to provide an ongoing forum for federal health care industries and agencies and is the companies' link to the broad and often fragmented federal marketplace. The Sustaining Members section is guided by a strong code of ethics and members enjoy a unique, collegial environment in which they discuss the current issues and business practices of the federal health care customers.

"AMSUS Sustaining Membership status demonstrates the rigor of the science-based CCM exam and the value of the credential for board-certified case managers," said Patrice V. Sminkey, the Commission's chief executive officer. "We are delighted to be recognized by AMSUS for our ongoing work to advance patient safety, professional excellence and quality case management practice."

The Commission has also joined the National Quality Forum (NQF) as a member organization. NQF is a nonprofit umbrella organization of hospitals, professional medical societies, teaching institutions, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and consumer advocacy groups that aims to improve the quality of U.S. health care by creating standardized measures of performance and increasing public transparency of performance.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved payment for the CCM exam as reimbursable under the GI Bill for licensing and certification. Veterans, reservists and their dependents who are case managers are eligible for reimbursement for the cost of the exam.

These partnerships underscore the rigor and value of the Commission's CCM certification, which is also approved for the Magnet Recognition Program for health care organizations that provide nursing excellence. Recognition of the CCM aids facilities in achieving Magnet status. 

Mastery of the CCM exam demonstrates that the board-certified case manager possesses the education, skills, knowledge and experience required to render appropriate services, delivered according to sound principles of practice. The CCM is available to case managers who serve in a variety of settings such as hospitals, managed care organizations and in independent practice, and with a range of professional licensure, including nursing, social work and vocational rehabilitation.

The Commission expanded its advocacy efforts in 2011, highlighting the importance of including employing qualified professionals, including board-certified case managers, in accountable care organizations, patient-centered medical homes and other transformative models of care. The Commission identified the federal/state dual eligible integrated care demonstration as a focus of advocacy efforts, identifying the most appropriate roles and functions that case managers can utilize to eliminate duplication of services, expand access to needed care, and improve the lives of dual eligible clients while lowering costs.

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