telephonic case management

Specialties Case Management

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Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I've been looking into doing the telephonic case management so I can work from home and be with my 4 month old son. I have just under 3 years of nursing experience but I have 15 years of health care experience. Any recommendations or advice on what I should do to have a better shot at this career step?

Most companies who hire telephonic case managers require or very strongly prefer people who are nationally certified in case management (CCM or RN-BC) and have broad experience. You can check the requirements for these at ANCC and CCMC websites. However, it's unlikely you'll be qualified because both have requirements to be in the position for some time. Also, very, very unlikely that unless you have a strong track record of remote experience that anyone would hire you to work remotely from the start-- they'll want you in-house where they can see you, train you, and monitor you. Even experienced telephonic CMs are being brought in-house a lot more lately.

You might want to consider looking for a telephonic nurse "warm line," advice nurse, or office telephonic nurse that would let you work from home, if that's your primary objective. I'll be interested to hear if anyone else has ideas.

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I would look at the job openings in your area or nearby and see what qualifications they seek. Around here they want 5yrs min clinical experience, 1 yr CM experience and specific certifications as stated above.

Specializes in Tele.

I would still continue to apply for any job you are interested in, even if you don't have all the requirements. A strong healthcare background is very appealing to organizations looking to hire telephonic nurses. It shows you have "corporate" or administrative strengths that are essential for those positions.

If you want to get into CM, you can tell potential employers your goal is to become CCM certified. I was certified in CCM 5 years ago and at that time a 4 year degree in Healthcare was not a requirement, but employment in the field was. I was also hired by United Health Care without any CM experience, but 3 years Med Surg and 10 of healthcare. I worked as a telephonic RN for 5 years and it was my healthcare background that made me successful at that type of position.

Also, don't shy away from jobs that post CCM required. It is definitely becoming the gold standard, but I work at 2 Acute Care hospitals as a Case Manager and besides myself, only 2 other RNs are CCM certified. Your goal should be to become CCM certified, but still try to apply and interview for any interested job; the interview experience will be helpful and you might end up with obtaining a job you didn't expect!

Just to clarify, I am a ASN with a CCM there is no requirement from CCMC for BSN, BUT there is a 4 yr requirement for other health fields social work psychologist other allied health with acceptable work history...

I think you need a bit more RN experience either at least a total of 5 clinical nursing or if you can, 1-2 yrs of home health case manager that was how I started, I don't know your area but in Indiana WellPoint is huge , try there... Also don't expect because you are home that you will be able to care for your son...it's hard work... Also (again) search Utilization review... Good luck!!

I had home-based CM field case mgmt job for many years. My kids were trained that they were not to knock on the office door when I was in there unless there were actual flames or lots of blood. :)

You will not be able to care for a baby while you are working. For one thing, clients get really annoyed if they hear a baby crying (or a dog barking) in the background; it's unprofessional and indicates to them that your mind isn't 100% on the business at hand. Which, of course, it wouldn't be.

Perhaps you could work three days a week, or 20 hours, and have your little one in daycare for those times. Beware the "part-time" job that pays you for 20 hours but gives you more work than you can do in that time, and expects you to do it anyway. Getting paid 20 hours for 30 or even 40 hours is not cool.

Specializes in nursing education.

I knew of a nurse that did overnight telephonic work from home with a newborn. She had gone back to work two weeks after his birth and was able to do so because there were few calls that came in overnight. It was through a home health agency.

Specializes in Tele, Med/Surg, Geri, Case Manager.

I agree with other posters but whatever work at home job you do, you will still need someone to sit with your baby while you work. You still are expected to get a certain amount of work done when you work at home which is hard if you alone are watching the baby.

Try to get into an insurance company offering work at home through their 24 hour nurse line. You may be able to work nights. You will need to have someone with the baby because you are pretty much tied to your desk. After about a year or two, you may be able to transfer to case management. If you are work at home already, they will keep you as that.

Don't be discouraged though! Still apply for any and every opening. You most likely will have to work in office for at least six months (with exemplary performance) in order to work from home.

God luck and enjoy your baby:-)

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