The majority of nurse case managers are registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in nursing. They have several years of experience as nurses in a healthcare facility. As a nurse case manager, the candidate socializes with the patient and the patient’s family. The candidate takes care of all the nurse personnel and oversees the operations in the department. From patient admission to discharge, the nurse case manager creates the treatment plan to be followed. Medications can be administered. Observing the medical condition of the patient is important to make adjustments to the treatment plan. A nurse case manager is also known as a medical case manager.
Maximized Nursing Care
Healthcare services for the patient must be delivered promptly. The nurse case manager makes sure that the patient receives the appropriate services needed in terms of medications, medical resources, therapies, and treatments. In talking to the patient, medical advice may be given as necessary. Emotional support is also provided while communicating with the patient. Licensed practical nurses are also supervised. All levels of nursing care are in the hands of the nurse case manager. As a high-ranking healthcare official, the nurse care manager also performs the work of a registered nurse such as providing aid when the patient eats, bathes, walks, and gets dressed.
Being Certified
The United States has an institution called the American Case Management Association that grants the Accredited Case Manager certification. Through this recognition, the nurse case manager boosts the profile. Besides this certification, the nurse case manager may have a master’s degree to make the achievement higher. Being certified as a nurse case manager is achieved through the initiative of the candidate. It is not mandatory for the candidate to have the certification. When the nurse case manager can create good relations with the patient, the patient’s family, and everybody else who deals with the patient, more patients will seek the candidate.
Patient Discharge
A nurse case manager is fortunate that the healthcare industry will continue to flourish. In the United States, practicing as a medical professional is very lucrative. The nurse case manager must be attentive to specifications, instructions, and detail to avoid any legal issues from malpractice. The needs of the patient are always assessed, planned, implemented, and evaluated. When the patient is managed well, the medical condition improves and may be discharged sooner. Medical resources are utilized in a cost-efficient manner to maximize department finances. When the patient is ready for discharge, the nurse case manager also talks to the patient.
Case Management Experience
The nurse case manager reports to the Director of Case Management directly. When the candidate has at least two years of case management experience or utilization review, the potential is high. Being experienced with hospital discharge for at least a year will also enhance the candidate’s profile. Being certified in case management from the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) or the Commission for Case Management Certification (CCMC) can make the candidate more credible and reliable. Besides these possible certifications, the nurse case manager must maintain their professional license.
Integration of Functions
Nurse case managers are entrusted with major responsibilities that can seriously affect hospital operations positively or negatively. Outside agencies, healthcare facilities, other departments in the hospital, and external service organizations are also dealt with for integrating case management functions. This involves patient care, home planning processes, and discharge. Medical records are reviewed based on criteria and specific indicators. It is important that the expected outcome of the patient’s condition happen within the time frame allotted. When a patient undergoes a test, the results must be given promptly. The test is assessed as appropriate and fit for the patient before it is administered. The patient is informed about the test to be given and all instructions included.
Physician Relationship
Besides dealing with the patient, the nurse case manager also communicates with the physicians who handle the patient. Good relations with the physicians are necessary since the nurses being supervised also talk to them. The outcome of the patient’s medical condition, the cost of the medicines, and the case progress are all taken into consideration. When the patient is admitted, a psychosocial assessment is given and expanded assessment regarding the needs is made. As deemed necessary before discharge, the patient may talk to a social worker to determine that the emotional condition is satisfactory.
Patient Advocate
When the patient or the family has to make complicated decisions after the facts of the medical condition are presented, the nurse case manager can serve as an advocate for the patient. Overall, it is the nurse case manager who creates the policies and procedures for satisfactory patient care.
