How do you get into case management?

laurakoko · Jun 4, 2005

My new case managment position just fell into my lap. I was charge nurse, on a Med Surg unit for years... One of the case managers was going out for weeks for surgery, and needed someone to cover the time that she was gone. I then talked with her, and told her I was a fast learner, and since I was per diem, was interested in covering her hours. She gave me the InterQual book, and said memorize this. I did just that. Well, for the most part.... I was oriented in a few weeks, to write reviews mostly, and pushed myself just to learn everything I could in a short time. When she returned, the office cont to want me to work there! I stayed, and now am a perm part of the UR team. I love it. With two new babies, 2 y/o and 1 y/o, it sure is nice for the hours/flexibility, and not having to take care of patients, then come home to take care of babies. I felt all I was doing was bathing and toileting non stop!!! My story is that of luck, however, I would go to the director of the CM dept in your facility, and tell he/she you are interested. Write a resume, even though there might not be any positions for CM at that time, to keep you in mind if the position should come open. Also, this is what I did, tell the director you are interested in doing some weekends and holidays, what ever they should have available for you to get experience. Try it.....