Commission for Case Manager Certification Launches New Services to Streamline Certification, Continuing Education

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Newly board-certified case managers have typically waited six weeks or more to find out whether they passed the nation's oldest and most respected certification exam. Now, candidates for the prestigious CCM® credential receive immediate feedback via Immediate Preliminary Scoring, one of two new services recently launched by the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC™).

Today the Commission also announced the introduction of the Pre-Approved Continuing Education (PACE) program, a streamlined path for organizations that offer continuing education for CCM certificants to gain approval for their programs. Beginning in April, PACE offers those who provide workshops, webinars and continuing education coursework a guided, online process that will eliminate the need to duplicate approvals for repeated courses, and will simplify data entry and fee structures.

The Commission continuously seeks ways to improve service to board-certified case managers, applicants to be certified and the case management community. One improvement the Commission recently implemented is the Instant Preliminary Scoring system. Since December 2010, the Instant Preliminary Scoring system has improved the examination process by eliminating the six week examination results notification timeframe.  Now, candidates for the CCM credential receive immediate pass or not pass feedback to allow them to fully embrace their roles as board-certified case managers across the health care continuum.

"These new initiatives demonstrate our commitment to our core values – promoting, advancing and advocating for quality case management," said Patrice V. Sminkey, RN, the Commission's chief staff executive. "Health care reform is changing the landscape for board-certified case managers, and the Commission will continue exploring ways to be the go-to resource for the professional case management community."

Board certification of case managers is gaining increasing importance as health care delivery systems push to meet greater expectations for care delivery, patient safety and improved patient outcomes. The Commission's 2009 Role & Functions Survey study of nearly 7,000 case managers found that a growing number of employers require case management certification (36 percent, compared to 26 percent in 2004), and more employers offer additional compensation for certification (27 percent in 2009 compared to 20 percent in 2004).(1)

CCMC is a non-profit, volunteer organization overseeing the process of case manager certification across multiple disciplines--registered nurses, social workers and professionals in workers compensation and vocational rehabilitation. New models of care such as the patient-centered medical home emphasize core activities of the case manager such as care coordination. A foundational emphasis on team-based care in advanced primary care models has also expanded the role of case managers. Team-based care aligns with CCMC's philosophy that everyone benefits when clients reach their optimum level of wellness, self-management, and functional capability: the clients being served; their support systems; the health care delivery systems; and the various payer sources.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification

The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies 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.

(1)  Growing Trend: Case Management Certification Desired—and Paid For—by More Employers CCMC Issue Brief vol 1, issue 1 (http://www.ccmcertification.org/pdfs/Growing_Trend-Case_Management_Certification_Desired_and_Paid_for_by_More_Employers.pdf).

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification