What does a Care Manager do?

Care Managers support the success of the organizations they work for by helping to ensure better patient outcomes and satisfaction. They act as critical advocates, guides and support for patients and families who are facing long-term care needs associated with chronic illnesses or aging. Care Managers may act as the hub of larger care teams, connecting various doctors, facilities and providers to support streamlined services for patients.

Care Manager skills and qualifications

Successful Care Manager candidates have developed a variety of skills that ensure they can support patients well. The exact skills an employer might require in a job description for Care Manager positions depend on the nature of the role. However, common skills to look for in such candidates include:

• Ability to quickly and accurately communicate details about a patient’s condition and ongoing care to clinicians. They must also be able to explain such things in layman’s terms to the patient and their family.
• Empathy for patients
• Organizational skills to be able to keep track of hundreds of details and support organized approaches to treatment planning and implementation.
• Problem-solving capabilities to work around complex schedules or walk patients through secondary plans when first options fall through.

Care Manager experience requirements

Some organizations hire Care Managers as a clinical position, while others hire administrative Care Managers. In either case, these jobs typically require some level of hands-on experience with patients in a healthcare environment. Clinical Care Managers are often Nurses or others who have provided direct patient care in the past, for example.

Specialty organizations may also want to look for healthcare candidates with experience in the niche. For example, a cancer center might want Care Managers who have previously worked for organizations providing oncology services or entry-level candidates with oncology intern experience.

Care Manager education and training requirements

Medical and health services managers typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The type of degree that is relevant to a Care Manager position depends on whether it is clinical or administrative in nature.

Employers hiring clinical Care Managers may want to include healthcare degree requirements in their Care Manager job descriptions. That might include bachelor’s degrees in nursing or social work. Job descriptions for more administrative positions might call for degrees in public health, health care information or similar niches. Some roles may not require a formal degree at all.

Job description samples for similar positions

Healthcare organizations hire for many positions that deal with patient treatment and care. If the Care Manager job description is not what you were looking for, you can find guidance about many others, including:

• Case Manager
• Caregiver
• Caseworker
• Nurse Case Manager

Care Manager job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Care Manager and a Case Manager?

The tasks related to these two positions can overlap, and some organizations may hire one or the other to handle all related work. However, typically, Care Manager work focuses more on medical needs and care for a patient, while a Case Manager may take a broader lifestyle approach and provide support for health, social, mental, financial and even legal wellness.

What is the difference between a Care Manager and a Care Coordinator?

These two job titles are often used to mean the same thing. The positions tend to relate to the same tasks and require similar skills. In some cases, care coordination can refer to a longer relationship with a patient, while care management refers to assistance during a single hospital stay.