Time to renew? Clients and health care organizations need CCMs more than ever

[CCMC]

By MaryBeth Kurland, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Commission for Case Manager Certification

Little did we know...

At the beginning of the year, I talked to case managers about how, as we enter the decade, we needed to be prepared to face a rapidly changing health care workplace.

We knew health care organizations would need case managers with the right skills, training, knowledge and temperament. We just didn’t realize how much they would need them or how soon, given the circumstances we found ourselves in early this year due to the pandemic.

CCMs were prepared to step up. And according to our “Checking in with our CCMs” survey during the pandemic, they did—despite personal and financial hardships. It’s been amazing to see them continue to advocate for their clients during these extraordinary events.

Prepared for change

The health care landscape is always changing. Technological advances such as artificial intelligence and telehealth/telemedicine offer glimpses of incredible possibilities for more efficient health care. Because they are always learning, CCMs understand these developments.

It’s not just technological advancements; CCMs bring a unique combination of knowledge, expertise and ethical commitment. But now, CCMs are called to stay abreast of changes that are happening almost weekly. To use what may be the word of the year, 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges.

Not just any year

COVID-19 has made the need for CCMs more acute. During this pandemic and its eventual aftermath, clients need advocates. A board-certified case manager is the right professional to act in the client’s best interest in this complex and fragmented health care system.

It has never been more essential for case managers to be at the top of their game and to be able to work anywhere, both face-to-face and virtually. The CCM credential validates that they are.

Time to renew

Amid all this upheaval, thousands of CCMs will need to renew their certification this year. That may create yet another burden in what, for many, has been an almost unbearable year.

I understand case managers are being faced with difficult choices and are balancing their professional and personal lives. As a result, some CCMs may consider not renewing their certification. As health care continues to change rapidly, five years can make a major difference in the landscape. Maintaining a CCM credential through on-going professional development ensures case managers stay ahead of curve and on the front end of the changes everyone is facing.

Examples that have been identified by our recent trends survey include:¹

• The drive for client-generated data allows tracking everything from medication use to biometric data that can become part of the health record. CCMs will need to be able to weigh the benefits and applicability of a variety of data streams as they create care plans and monitor progress.
• Digital skills have short shelf lives, so continuous learning is an imperative.
• Databases of genetic information allow clinicians to better target individualized medications and treatments. Gene therapy—including the associated costs and regulatory delays related to genetic treatments—create ethical challenges CCMs are uniquely positioned to address.

We’ve seen rapid advances in technology including the use of artificial intelligence, the increased use of virtual care, complications related to the impact of social determinants of health and a spotlight on patient-centeredness. COVID-19 is accelerating the need to consider how to address these areas when providing care or implementing these processes.

The CCM credential demonstrates readiness to take them all on.

Recognition

Colleagues and employers recognize the value of the CCM. Many of the CCMs that responded to our trends survey reported that obtaining the credential had a positive career impact—improving employment options, advancing professional standing and enhancing personal growth. More than 90% of them have recommended the CCM to other case managers.²

Employers, too, recognize—and pay for—CCMs value. According to the survey, many will pay for the initial exam, and some even pay for renewal.³

Renewal can also be a personal milestone—a tangible achievement in a time of chaos. Each renewal is an opportunity to assess where you are now and where you want to be in five years. Renewal is a way to demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to case management.

The pandemic has taken away so much from so many of us. Don’t let your CCM credential slip away. Keep your dashboard updated with CEs you’ve earned and current contact information. It will make things easier when it’s time to renew. We offer many free and low-cost ways to earn CEs, including a new collaboration effective July 1, 2020 with the American Case Management Association that allows courses pre-approved by either organization to be applied towards renewal for both organizations.

Your certification is important—to you, your health care team and most of all your clients.

NOTE: Because of the current pandemic environment, those who expire November 30, 2020 will have until December 31, 2020 to earn CEs and renew their credential.

If you’re not a CCM, have you thought about becoming certified? Check to see if you’re eligible. Or go to ccmcertification.org for COVID and non-COVID resources anyone is welcome to use, most of which are free or low cost.

References

¹ 2020 Focus on Forecasting, Growing and Preparing

² February 2019 | Growth, Benefits and Value: Insight into Today's CCM

³ 2020 Focus on Forecasting, Growing and Preparing