CCMC

The future outlook for board-certified case managers is exceptional.

Over the last few years, we've witnessed growing appreciation for board certification, especially from employers. They don't merely prefer case managers who are board-certified; increasingly, they require them: 44 percent of employers require the Board-Certified Case Manager (CCM(R)) credential, and 58 percent pay for the exam.¹

Did you know that pearls are only created when an oyster becomes irritated?

When I first embarked on the adventure of being CCMC's 2019 New World Symposium Taskforce Chair, I happened to see a quote that said "No grit, no pearl." For some reason, this quote continued to resonate with me, so I decided to do a little digging into how pearls are formed.

What stood out to me most is the fact that a pearl is only created when an oyster becomes irritated. The oyster uses something adverse and irritating to create an item of unique value.

It's a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together. Recently, I discovered my original Certified Case Manager certificate, now 25 years old. I am going to frame it along with my current CCM as a visual binding of a career with an on-going passion.

For me, board certification was a milestone, an impetus to continue to learn and develop professionally. As a Commission volunteer, supporting certification became my passion as a means to help shape the future of case management. Today, that passion fuels me as the Commission's first chief industry relations officer.

As the Commission celebrates its 25th anniversary, I am reminded of our history. The same driving force that created the commission - and the first exam to test case manager competency- propels us to achieve even more today.

Our founders, a committee of professionals from across the healthcare industry, envisioned the CCM as a means for case managers to easily demonstrate their readiness and job expertise to employers and clients.

The healthcare landscape is always changing. Cutting-edge, technological advances like artificial intelligence and telemedicine offer a glimpse of incredible possibilities for more efficient health care. There is an aging population as Baby Boomers are moving into their retirement years, including some of our board-certified case managers, creating a need for a well-prepared workforce to fill roles.