kaytsamopo

I did work comp CM for awhile and hated it. But, it was the supervisors I had that caused the job to be so bad. The work actually was not bad. Lots to learn but can be interesting. Ask questions like, what your case load will be, what is the training program like etc. I'm a nurse, injured on the job last year ( just a 'sprain' that has never resolved) and the doctor has suggested that I leave bed side nursing- or at least the neccessity to lift pts. So right now I am on Worker's Comp- and hate it! It's not so much the ins but it's how the hospital is treating me. Anyway. I applied for a Case management job for M Hayes and Associates. I haven't had the interview yet, it is to be via phone. What questions should I ask? Right now I work in a float pool- I get excellent pay for this area with 5 yrs experience, so I work part time because I am a single mom. How much does CM for workers comp pay? I'm not usually the most organized person- but can be- and I don't think I'd enjoy having to justify every nickel and dime. It seems like there is a lot of travel. The ad said a company car would be provided. Would this be a stressful job? Would I be seen as the 'bad guy' to the clients? What if I really felt a pt wasn't ready to go back to reg work, but saw that they were being pushed to do so? Why do nurses enter case management? why do they leave? the ad says work at home- but does that mean you can schedule things around your life, or do you have to do set hours? Thanks! Fawn

take my word for it, disease management is extremely boring and most of the people you are calling at home, to educate, really don't want to talk to you. As far as work comp case management? I have only been doing it for four months as an onsite nurse and I gave notice today! I absolutely hate billing for time, I hate dealing with the adjusters. Conversely I love the patient contact even if it is just to meet with them during an appointment. I was also promised I would be able to work from home, and after four months that has not even been mentioned yet. I should have gotten that in writing when I was hired; that I would work from home by such a date. It's too late now. Also, the people that were training me were two of the crabbiest, rudest, most arrogant nurses I have ever met. All I was ever told was that I needed to please the adjusters. I worked both hospital and home health before I went to work comp case management. I have to say I made the most money in home health. I got time and a half for over time.... I wouldn't go back to the hospital unless it was in a specialty specialty department; I don't like the 12 hour shifts too much. I think if you are married with a family and your spouse can keep the kids when you are working then 12's are fine. They are a little much if you are single and you have a kid getting home from school at 3 p.m. and you don't get off work until seven. One thing we have as nurses is choice. You cannot say that for any other profession. Find something you like and jump in. You are still young enough at thirty to become a CRNA; go for it. I am heading back to home health, where I was the happiest. Good luck!!

I noticed you stated you are back in home care. How did you process that return; did you answer newspaper ads or? Thanks.

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.

kcwintn, can I ask who you work for?

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.