Case managers who specialize in mental health are poised to improve mental health outcomes. These managers can reduce the need for future medical services by using coordination of care to enhance patient education and ultimately lower the cost of healthcare.
As we shift towards value-based care, we will continue to see an emphasis on quality and outcomes over the volume of services provided. Mental health case managers will play a significant role in assessing mental health needs, accessing needed services, coordinating services over time, and monitoring services to ensure they meet identified needs. If you are contemplating making a move in the direction of becoming a case manager, now is a good time to make the change.
A Progressing Mental Health Care System
Our mental health care system is undergoing significant changes that are creating an excessive amount of psychological and social needs. As a result, the care management sector of healthcare is expanding to improve the experience of healthcare. The intent of mental health case management is the improvement of a patient’s mental health care while reducing the need for future health interventions.
The Care Management Pathway
The current healthcare model is a product of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As such, it is increasing the importance of management professionals significantly due to the demand for personalized patient-centered care. Care managers have the significant responsibility of identifying population risks, aligning the required mental health services for each member, and finding innovative ways to deliver these services to the people who need the services the most.
The ultimate goal of the care management pathway is to educate people. Case managers are carrying out the vital role of assessing the mental health needs of adults and children and ensuring that only the necessary services receive approval.
High Demand
The demand for case managers is high, with a projected growth of 16% through 2024. Professionals skilled in providing personalized care can find employment in hospitals, medical centers, health plans, managed care organizations and affordable care organizations. Social workers, counselors, human resources professionals and other healthcare professionals are successfully filling the multiple roles available in the case management of mental health. Telephonic case management is also growing, creating a need for case managers, inpatient case managers, and field-based case managers.
No matter what career paths individuals take, all case managers are furthering education, creating individualized patient care, and emphasizing prevention. This career path is an opportunity to impact communities with focused and strategic solutions.
Find Your Next Opportunity
Human services professionals directly impact the mental health and social well-being of those who are in need. If you are a case management professional looking to advance your career in mental health care management, take a look at the opportunities available at GHR Human Services. We maintain relationships with private facilities, community organizations, public service agencies and others to help you find a job where you can make a real impact on mental health care management.
