Ethics training now part of CCMC Case Management Body of Knowledge

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The principles for ethical conduct in case management are a common thread running through this widely varying and rapidly changing profession. Today, the Commission for Case Manager Certification® announced two new ethics learning modules—designed to illuminate core ethical principles and practices to guide the professional case manager—are available on the Commission's Case Management Body of Knowledge® (CMBOK®) online learning center (www.cmbodyofknowledge.com).

The Ethics I and II CMBOK learning modules follow the Commission's complete review and 2014 revision of the Code of Professional Conduct for Case Managers. Case managers come to the profession from nursing, social work and other health care backgrounds and work across diverse practice settings. The Code is applied broadly and should be considered when any allied health professional conducts case management functions. It's a comprehensive guide to evaluate and respond to ethical challenges, all the while upholding the case manager's primary objectives--to protect the public interest and the rights and dignity of clients.

The Code calls for honor, integrity, objectivity and fidelity in case management. Board-certified case managers who hold the CCM® credential are required to comply with the Code as part of their certification, and often refer to its principles in the course of their work. The new learning resources delve deeply into the Code's principles, definitions and ethical standards, offering practical guidance. Topics include advocacy, compliance with privacy rules, professional relationship management, objectivity, and even how a case manager may ethically advertise services. Resources include articles, exhibits, examples and tips for handling ethics challenges.

CCMs may earn a total of seven continuing education credits upon completion of the CMBOK ethics modules. With the addition of the Ethics I and II resources, the CMBOK now offers case managers the potential to earn 71 continuing education credits.

"Because of the Code's critical role, we called on some of the country's top experts to offer in-depth discussion and study materials for the Case Management Body of Knowledge," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. "We know case managers use the CMBOK to access research on case management topics and to train and mentor new case managers. It made sense to embed the ethics materials into this knowledge base as well."

The new modules were contributed by John D. Banja, PhD, professor and medical ethicist at Emory University; and Hussein Tahan, DNSc, RN, corporate vice president for nursing professional development and workforce planning at MedStar Health System. Tahan also serves as the CMBOK knowledge editor. Banja will be a featured speaker at CCMC's 2016 New World Symposium™; he will present a general session January 23: "Navigating ethical dilemmas in day-to-day practice."

To learn more, download the issue brief, "Foundational principles: Newly revised Code of Professional Conduct provides a framework for ethical, high-quality care." To learn more about case managers and the Commission's workforce development focus, see the brief video.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 37,000 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 the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification