New to Return to Work CM

[kaytsamopo]

Does anyone know of Crawford and Company? I've worked for them for a short period of time now, learning return to work case mangement. I'd like to get some feedback from anyone who knows the company/has worked for them before.

Also, I'd like to hear what kind of training you had when you first started return to work CM. My training has been piecemeal. I am supposed to go out of state in October for further training, but the training in the branch has not been good. We only shadowed another case manager on about three appointments. We were then given our own files. The learning process as far as report writing has consisted of being told to write the report and then having it critiqued over and over and over. I'd rather have more info on the front end of writing the report rather than the back end. The two other CM's in the branch seem very impatient when training us also. Is this typical training for this type of CM? I am getting discouraged but would like to stick with it. Any feedback from any of you experienced RTW CM's is appreciated.

[jerseymom]

I did some work for Crawford when I worked for a managed care company. They were okay, TPA, had good and bad as all do. I was in the field, and they wanted updates asap, which was fine with me.

I was trained very similarly to you. Looking back I think it was because they all had such large caseloads, no time to get their work done, much less spend time to teach you. I was on my own the 3rd day, had no idea what I was doing, but I somehow got through it. You know what?....I think I learned more that way. I made my mistakes on my own and picked myself up and kept going. I was from a purely cardiac backround, then I find myself in the midst of all these ortho diagnoses....oh my God was I lost. It didn't take long to learn a rotator cuff tear from a labrum tear....and now I love what I do, who I work for...just wish the exam was not hanging over my head. I am thinking positive thoughts...I am going to pass the exam...I am going to pass the exam....I am going to pass the exam....AMEN!

[kaytsamopo]

Thanks for replying, gives me hope and helps me hang on in the new job! As far the exam, I assume you mean the CCM? Good luck, I am sure you will do well. I take it in April.