Certifications to boost resume

[Mnmom86]

Hello,

I am a master's prepared nurse with 3 years experience in behavioral health and ambulatory care. I'm quite motivated to transition into case management/utilization review, however all the positions I apply for have extensive requirements in terms of CM/UR experience. I'm wondering whether taking a course in ICD 10 coding, InterQual or Milliman criteria or any other courses/certifications might help my applications get noticed. Any guidance or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: The best way to get noticed is to network! If you have a clinical background, then talk to the hiring managers of CMs of your current and former employers. Let those people know of your interest and your willingness to become one of their new Case Managers. Good luck! :)

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I don't think you can take a freestanding course in Interqual or Milliman-- whoever hires you will see that you get the training you'll need as part of their contract with whoever they use. You don't really need to know ICD-10 coding to do inhouse case mgmt. It's understandable why employers would prefer to hire somebody with experience, as I am sure you understand. So now you need to learn stuff and be able to communicate that you've done so precisely so you can be that exception to the rule: You are smart and motivated, and just the type of person they'd hire anyway because you're a quick study and excited to be here and help the team. :)

Best thing to do now is to hook up with the local CMSA chapter and start attending all their CE offerings (and their regional and national meetings too! Great fun!). This will help you learn the lingo, give you something to say to interviewers about how much you enjoyed learning about X,Y, and Z, and most of all, NETWORK. You'll find contacts you need to get ahead of the job postings. MBARNBSN has nailed it.