 |
Hospice Case Manager: Job Description
Hospice case managers work with people nearing the ends of their lives. They are responsible for evaluating their patients and providing the care and services that are needed. Their certification or licensing requirements depend on the education and career background they are coming from.
A hospice case manager specializes in coordinating end-of-life healthcare, counseling and social services for patients and their families. Utilizing a nursing or social work background, a hospice case manager may be employed by hospitals, home healthcare agencies or hospice organizations. A college degree is required, and many case managers are registered nurses, while others are social work professionals.
Essential Information
| Required Education | Varies; many hold master's degrees in social work, while others have degrees in nursing |
| Other Requirements | Professional certification not required, but useful |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) * | 17% for social and community service managers, 32% for medical and health services managers |
| Median Salary (2019) * | $67,150 for social and community service managers, $100,980 for medical and health services managers |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hospice Duties
What is the role of hospice care case managers? They evaluate a patient's physical condition and develop a care plan that addresses any medical needs and social services. Hospice case managers typically oversee a collaborative hospice care team that may include healthcare providers, at-home care services, mental health specialists and spiritual advisors. They also address the psychological needs of patients and their families through counseling and education efforts. Hospice case managers who are licensed registered nurses may also provide hands-on nursing care to clients.
In hospice management jobs, the day-to-day routine may include several visits to patients to check up on and document their physical and emotional well-being. They may also be required to attend regular patient care conferences. They must be able to fulfill the requests for additional services and information from patients and provide guidance and support, all while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of patients and their loved ones.
Hospice Case Manager: Educational Requirements
Hospice care managers may be clinical social workers who have been licensed by their state after completing a master's degree program and gaining work experience. They may also be registered nurses with educational and clinical experience that's prepared them for a state licensing exam. A hospice case manager may hold the Accredited Case Manager designation from the American Case Management Association or the Certified Case Manager certification offered by the Commission for Case Management Certification. These voluntary certifications have education and work experience requirements and may require passing an exam.
Salary Information for Hospice Case Managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect salary data specifically for hospice case managers; however, it does provide information for the related careers of social work and nursing. According to May 2019 BLS data, the mean annual wage for social workers in the home healthcare industry was $67,150. In that same year, medical and health services managers earned a mean annual salary of $100,980. According to the BLS, the five top five highest-paying states for medical and health services managers are the District of Columbia, New York, Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts, while the states with the highest rates of employment for this profession are California, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Hospice care managers organize teams of people to meet the needs and wants of their clients. Before taking their position, they may be registered nurses or social care workers. Both of these positions have their own licensing requirements, but there are also voluntary certifications available that attest to a candidate's skill and experience in this field.