Commission launches comprehensive toolkit to develop next generation of professional case manager workforce

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Dec. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It just got easier for case managers to help develop the next generation of colleagues working in hospitals, health plans, physician offices and across the health care landscape. Today, the Commission for Case Manager Certification released its Develop Others toolkit, a collection of resources and tools to meet the growing demand for professional case managers.

According to the Commission's 2018 survey of board-certified case managers, more than half (60 percent) have been in the role for more than a decade. Most case managers build on a background in nursing, social work or health and human services to develop professional knowledge through job-based training and experiential learning; 73 percent of CCMs who are supervisors say mentoring is one way their organization accomplishes case manager development.

The Develop Others toolkit offers a range of resources?most free or at low cost?to assist supervisors and senior case managers to nurture the professional growth of younger colleagues and help them get certified.

"The Develop Others toolkit evolved from our commitment to supporting employers and organizations to prepare a ready workforce, satisfying a growing need for experienced, well-qualified case managers across a range of care settings," said MaryBeth Kurland, CAE, the Commission's CEO. "We want the case management workforce of the future to be diverse, both culturally and professionally, to meet the challenges of a complex care system. These tools will support organizations working to build that workforce one case manager at a time."

Board certification?attaining the Certified Case Manager^® (CCM^®) credential?validates competence and commitment to the Commission's Code of Professional Conduct. The tools support case managers on their certification journey. For example, the CCM Glossary smartphone app enables case managers to study more than 750 definitions that may be included on the CCM exam.

"Developing others through mentorship?whether it's formal or informal?is common among case managers," Kurland said. The toolkit includes a mentoring agreement template, tips and tools to advance case manager knowledge.

The Develop Others toolkit may be downloaded from the Commission's website, www.ccmcertification.org, on the Develop Others navigation tab under "Mentoring." Contents include:

• CCMC's official CCM Glossary App (also available in the iTunes store and Google Play)
• CCM Quick Guide
• Pocket Prep Study Roadmap
• Tips to get started with mentoring
• Mentoring agreement template
• Tips to start a lending library
• Overview videos: "Get Certified" and "Develop Others"
• Workforce Development Assessment tool
• Links to blogs, free webinars, issue briefs, podcasts, toolkits and resources to stimulate discussion

Case managers connect clients to needed clinical and community resources. More than 45,000 case managers hold the CCM, the largest, oldest case manager credential. It's the only interdisciplinary, cross practice setting case manager certification accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The Commission is an ANCC-approved provider for nursing contact hours.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 45,000 professional case managers and over 2,600 disability management specialists. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM® credential. The Commission also oversees the process of disability management specialist certification with its CDMS® credential. The Commission is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practice of case management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org, connect with the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification