10 SKILLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN CASE MANAGEMENT
Case Managers play a vital role in the healthcare and community service sectors. They work with people facing health issues, mental illness, disabilities, or other social problems. Their role is to improve the client’s quality of life and assist them in achieving self-independence.
Case managers require specialised skills to perform their tasks competently and serve clients in the best way possible. Acquiring these skills through formal education can make you a stronger candidate. Wondering how can you do this. All you need is to study for the CHCSS00073 Case Management Skill Set.
Below we have stated 10 skills of a good Case Manager. Let’s take note.
- Responsible
Case managers carry mounting responsibility on their shoulders. They are accountable for the client’s medication, therapy, and rehabilitation, and occasionally take charge of financial management, community involvement, and education of the client. They are responsible for managing and organising work to make sure such aspects of the job are taken care of.
- Organisational skills
Staying organised increases efficiency on the job. Case managers deploy organisational skills to manage all aspects of a client’s case, such as tracking activity, updating records, and monitoring outcomes. They handle files, documents, and maintain records confidentiality. With multiple clients, rehabilitation plans, medical appointments, therapy sessions, meetings, and so on you’ll need to be well-organised to professionally handle your responsibilities.
- Good Communication
Communication, a key skill to master involves active listening, speaking clearly, and writing detailed directions. When dealing with rehabilitation, medication, and therapy plan you’ll rely heavily on your ability to communicate effectively. Good communication skills mean no crossed wires between you, your client, and other service providers. This builds confidence in your client and ensures a smooth process.
- Time Management
A case manager typically sees many patients in a day. They must possess excellent time management skills to enable them to multitask, manage schedules and appointments, and meet targets. They must also stay up-to-date with contact lists, reference materials, and resource information easily accessible.
- Understanding
A successful case manager never stops learning. They need to adopt new techniques and working models, as well as comprehend a patient’s feelings and background. Recognising that everyone’s journey is unique is critical to success in this job. Case managers need to apply social skills like empathy, kindness, and compassion to make patients feel empowered and at ease.
- Problem-solving
Sometimes a case manager is required to act as a mediator for their client due to the client’s inappropriate behaviour or if their needs are not being met or their rights are being violated. It will be your duty to resolve the conflict and assist everyone in reaching a suitable and viable solution.
Although you’ll make many decisions by yourself to solve problems, you’ll also need to work as a team to find solutions to challenging tasks.
- Flexibility
In some cases, a patient’s first treatment option may not address all of their health conditions. Case managers should exercise flexibility when designing care plans thereby creating more than one plan for patient care. You need to adapt to different situations and environments to continue to deliver support and high-standard services. Variations in a client’s health or economic situation can demand flexibility from a case manager.
- Approachable
Being positive and approachable is a crucial skill in many client-facing roles. When you initiate working with new clients, they may be helpless, anxious, or frustrated. That’s why you need to tactfully handle all situations in a friendly and respectful manner to make your clients feel comfortable working with you. An openhearted and amicable attitude will take you far in case management.
- Advocacy
Advocacy means taking a stand for your client’s interests. Advocacy is fundamental to a Case Manager’s role, and it’s a valuable skill to learn. This involves arranging services for the client and ensuring that their needs are met. You have to guarantee that your clients get access to services or treatments they require and that they’re being treated fairly, and their legal rights are safeguarded.
- Collaboration or Teamwork
Working as a team is integral to the job and you certainly need excellent collaborative skills to get the best out of yourself and your colleagues. Case managers also work with other doctors, nurses, and specialists to provide the necessary care for the patient. A successful case manager conjointly works with a patient and family members on a care plan.
Study with AET
Many of these abovementioned case management skills are learned on the job, but if you have prior experience in community services, it’s a plus to prospective employers on the hunt for entry-level candidates.
Now if you think you have the right profile to become a case manager, consider your training options at Advanced Education and Training (AET). At AET we constantly update our knowledge with the latest trends and developments in the industry. Gain these skills by studying for the CHCSS00073 Case Management Skill Set that will create the perfect case manager role model that others can look up to.
Level up your skills to the highest professional standards. Register for CHCSS00073 Case Management Skill Set and add value to any organisation that hires you.