Care managers work in a number of capacities depending on what field they work in. Their job responsibilities may include updating patient records, connecting patients with healthcare services, or improving business practices. Care managers need at least a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Essential Information
Patient care managers, or simply care managers, provide health care to patients and manage health care facilities. There are many types of health care managers, including medical services managers and health information managers. In general, care manager requirements include at least a bachelor's degree in nursing, business or a health sciences field for a health care manager position, along with one to two years of work experience. Licensing and certification may also be required, depending on the position.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree (entry-level) |
| Required Licensure | State license is required for care managers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 32% for medical and health services managers |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $104,280 medical and health services managers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Care Manager Job Description
Care managers may function as both health care providers and facility supervisors. As health care providers, care managers provide for their patients by matching patient needs with appropriate services. Health information managers are responsible for maintaining and updating patient records. Patient care managers who act as facility supervisors may be in charge of business operations and oversee patient care at clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities.
Care Manager Duties
A care manager who works as a health care provider works directly with patients. When patients are admitted, the care manager communicates with them to assess their needs and then consult with health professionals to decide on which services to provide. Additionally, these patient care managers may contact insurance companies to determine a patient's plan coverage.
Specialized managers may inform patients regarding general preventative care practices as well as individualized care plans. Heath information managers keep track of patients' records, especially electronic records, and must keep current with computer technology, software, security measures, and legislation regarding patient privacy and other issues.
Medical or health services care managers who manage facilities are responsible for streamlining business operations and instituting measures to improve care. The patient care manager role may include analyzing business processes, creating and reviewing budgets, coordinating with other managers, and assessing business performance. These health care managers may use technological advancements to improve business operations and streamline processes. Additionally, supervisory care managers create schedules, evaluate personnel, and give performance reviews.
Care Manager Requirements
Care managers may need to satisfy a number of requirements to start their careers, from completing an accredited educational program to obtaining optional certification. Some patient care management positions may also require licensing.
Education
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical and health services managers typically need a master's degree in a field such as public health, business administration or health sciences to qualify for most jobs. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accredits master's degree programs in health care administration and management.
However, the BLS noted that a bachelor's degree may be enough for some entry-level positions, especially at smaller clinics or health care facilities. Some physicians' offices may even substitute on-the-job training for a formal education.
The BLS also reported that health information managers usually need a bachelor's degree from an accredited program in health information management. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredits associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs at colleges and universities across the U.S.
Certification
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) to health information managers. Prospective applicants must successfully complete a CAHIIM-accredited health information management (HIM) program, or a program from another country that has a reciprocity arrangement with AHIMA. Applicants must also pass a certification exam. Applicants are recertified every two years by completing 30 continuing education units (CEUs).
Licensing
Some patient care manager positions require licensing. According to the BLS, every state in the union plus the District of Columbia mandates licensing for nursing home administrators. In addition, some states require managers of assisted living facilities to be licensed as well. Those who are interested in managing these types of care facilities should check the licensing requirements of the state in which they wish to work.
Job Outlook and Salary Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow much faster than average between 2019 and 2029. The median annual salary earned by these managers was reported as $104,280 in May 2020 by the BLS.
While a bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement for patient care managers, the care manager roles and responsibilities may make a master's degree preferrable in some situations. Licensing and certification may be required for care managers depending on what industry they work in and where they live. Potential care managers should be aware of these requirements when mapping out their career path.
