NASW, CCMC collaborate to address growing demand for health care case managers

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) are collaborating to address the growing demand for health care case managers by giving more social workers the opportunity to earn the Commission's esteemed Certified Case Manager® (CCM®) credential.

Under the agreement, social workers who qualify for the NASW Case Management Credential will pre-qualify to take the CCMC certification exam for the same fee. For its members, NASW will provide an additional discount.

The collaboration—between the oldest and largest case manager certification body and the oldest and largest social work membership organization—creates new opportunities for bachelor degree-level social workers (and those with advanced degrees) to play an active role in hospitals, health plans, clinics and other health care settings. The CCM is a cross-cutting certification that validates quality and ethical practice, whether the candidate comes to board certification from nursing, social work or another allied health field.

"Board-certified case managers are meeting the needs of patients and organizations that are evolving in the context of new requirements and payment models," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. "The Commission's board recognized this collaboration with NASW as a critical opportunity to continue preparing a professional workforce that is changing and expanding, marking the importance of the health care social worker." The report, Preparation, Development Readiness: 2016 Focus on Workforce, details the Commission's activity in workforce development.

"Social workers play an integral role in the nation's health care system, helping patients and their families get the best possible care, and case management has been a key function of social workers since the founding of the profession," said NASW CEO Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW. "NASW is proud to work with CCMC to give social workers credentials and certifications that will make them even more attractive to health care employers."

Research by the Commission shows a majority of employers surveyed require certification as a condition of employment; more than half value certification enough that they pay the cost to take the rigorous, research-based CCM exam. Recognition of the Commission's CCM credential among accreditation agencies, employers and stakeholders—including reimbursement under the GI bill and meeting requirements for hospital Magnet Recognition status—underscore the credibility and stature of the credential. The Commission also sets the standards for professional ethics through the Code of Professional Conduct for Case Managers. Alignment in principals and ideals, expressed in standards of practice and professional conduct, were critical requirements to forge the NASW and Commission collaboration.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification 
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 40,000 professional case managers. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM^® 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.    

About the National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 130,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy. For more information, visit socialworkers.org.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification; National Association of Social Workers

Related Links

http://socialworkers.org