To become a patient care manager, an individual must complete several steps, each of which is defined differently by employers. Patient care managers are described as registered nurses who supervise a nursing staff and patient care plans in some job postings. Managers typically have certain personality traits, such as compassion, understanding, and the ability to listen and communicate, which help them perform their daily tasks. These individuals begin with a general education, progress to a certification program, and then further develop their skills through on-the-job training and management. The manager may find work in a variety of medical facilities, including long-term care facilities and hospitals, once properly trained.
To become a patient care manager, individuals must meet certain educational and training requirements. For consideration into a patient certification program, most employers require managers to have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development Certificate (GED). Employers will also require candidates for these positions to complete a certification program, which varies but typically entails a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. In addition to classroom time, most regional and state programs include a set number of supervised clinical hours. At the conclusion of the program, students take a test to earn a certificate or license that allows them to work in the field and gain management experience.
The student will learn a specific skill set that will help them become a patient care manager during the course of the certification. Managers must have all of the skills of a nurse, as well as superior leadership abilities. They must be able to manage a medical facility and its staff, as well as patient care. Because this job necessitates a lot of interaction with other people, good communication, listening, and interpersonal skills are essential.
The final step in becoming a patient care manager is to find a job that benefits the employee, the employer, and the patients. Candidates for this position must have a specific level of experience in either management or patient care, as specified in the job description. Recommendations are useful for people who are just starting out in their careers as managers and have little experience in that field. Another useful tool in securing any job is a well-written resume that highlights any significant job-related achievements.