What Exactly Does a Case Manager Do?

[missninaRN]

I saw an ad in the paper over the weekend for a Hospice Case Manager position. In the hospital where I work, "case manager" means discharge planner.

Is it the same in hospice? Or are all hospice nurses case managers?

Do case managers give direct patient care? Or does another type of hospice nurse do this?

Thanks!

[NurseMarla]

I can't speak for all hospices, but at ours Case Managers do everything from admissions to ordering diapers. This is by no means all of it, but some of the things I am expected to do are:

admissions

deaths/discharges

assessment

treatments

obtaining orders

ordering meds

ordering supplies

ordering DME

consulting with MSW/office/MD/chaplains/facility staff

educating families

IDT meetings

evaluating CNAs

pretty much, we're responsible for every aspect of the patient's care and coordinate the other disciplines. Nothing is done that isn't set into motion by the case manager.

[missninaRN]

Thank you so much for your reply!

I was wondering if it was something I would want to do. I did end up applying for the job and have an interview this week. It will be nice to go into it with some kind of idea of what we'll be talking about.

I think this might appeal to me. I've wanted to be involved in hospice since my nursing school clinicals and I thrive on accomplishing tasks/organizing and have experience in team leading.

We'll see how it goes.