Continuing Education Program for Case Management Certification & Fellowship

Continuing Education Courses in Case Management. The American Academy of Case Management offers a full Continuing Education program of online courses for those seeking Fellowship Certification and status in the Academy.

Upon completion of the five (5) nurse case management courses detailed below, applicants are eligible to apply for and receive Fellowship status and certification in the Academy. Each course is provided for in a dedicated online classroom. The courses are designed as independent study/continuing education courses, with one-to-one faculty mentoring. There is open enrollment and students may register and begin the education program at any time.

• Role of the Certified Case Manager

Continuing Education Program/Nurse Case Management Courses

Course Fees: Below are listed the required courses for this curriculum. At the end of each course description you will find the course cost listed. All textbooks and learning materials are separate and not included in the course cost.  

The following CE courses have provider approvals: The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc. is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Florida State Board of Nursing.  CE Provider # 50-11975. 

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, Inc. is a licensed Continuing Education Provider in the State of California, Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15595. For additional information please access here.

The following CE Courses also have Nursing Board Rule Provider Approvals:

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Arkansas Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Georgia Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. CE Provider # 50-11975.
The American Institute of Health Care Professionals Inc: is a Rule Approved Provider of Continuing Education by the Kentucky Board of Nursing CE Provider # 50-11975.

CM 500 – Case Management Theory & Process I

This course is an intermediate course for the program and provides a comprehensive learning program for theory, structure and practice application of case management. The course utilizes a most authoritative textbook in the specialty of case management and presents all facets of the practice. You receive comprehensive education in the professional practice of case management including systems, reimbursements, legal issues, and professional practice issues. Students focus on case management as a care delivery system that is multidisciplinary with outcomes focused management. Students receive a comprehensive review of the theory, process and practice of case management. The utilization review process is presented as well as tool for its practice. Students also begin the study of reimbursement systems, including Medicare and Medicaid, managed care and commercial carriers. This is the first course in the study of the theory and process of case management.

Course Code: CM 500. Contact hours of education = 25. Cost: $185.00. 

• Course Information
• Register for Course
• Classroom Access

CM 520 – Case Management Theory & Process II

This course is the second case management certification course in the continuing education program. Concepts and theories in case management systems and models are presented, as a continuation of study in CM 500. Students will study utilization management and its tools for assessment and decision making. Legal and ethical issues in case management practice are examined as well. Ethical issues and dilemmas are examined as they relate specifically to the practice of case management and the role of the case manager. This course also presents theory and models of the discharge planning process and its function within case management systems and models. The role of the discharge planner is examined. Students also study the entire case management system and role from assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. Case management forms and tools are presented. Factors leading to success in the role of case manager are also studied. Case studies in case management are examined to assist the student in operationalizing the concepts learned in this course and in CM 500.

Course Code: CM 520. Contact hours of education = 25. Cost: $185.00. 

• Course Information
• Register for Course
• Classroom Access

CM 545 – The Case Manager: Roles & Applications I

This course is Part I of an advanced course in case management with a comprehensive focus of study on the roles and the applications of professional Case Manager practice. Throughout this course students will examine in-depth information related to the many roles of the professional Case Manager and how they integrate their roles into many different models of case management practice today. Emphasis is on examining models of professional case management with Case Manager Applications of practice including theory and process. Students will be able to comprehend not only the role of the Case Manager but also the applications of professional practice in a wide variety of care settings. Students will examine key learning concepts such as the case manager as problem solver and educator, standards of case management, the case management work format and process, and the dynamics of communications and patient engagement. There is an extensive examination of the many practice settings and models of care in which professional case managers are practicing today where the role and applications of practice are detailed. Studies with also study other diverse models of case management including independent case management, home care case management and long-term care case management, as well as pediatric case management and worker’s compensation case management. Legal and ethical issues and responsibilities of professional case managers are presented and examined as well in this course. Other topics presented in this first part of the advanced case management course include evidence-based practice for case managers and data-drive decision making. Following successful completion of this course, students may register for part II of this course CM 565.

Course Code: CM 545.   Contact hours of education = 35.  Course Cost = $165.00

• Course Information
• Register for Course
• Classroom Access

CM 565 – The Case Manager: Roles & Applications II

This course is part II of an advanced course in case management with a comprehensive focus of study on the roles and the applications of professional Case Manager practice. Throughout this course students will examine in-depth information related to the many roles of the professional Case Manager and how they integrate their roles into many different models of case management practice today. Emphasis is on examining models of professional case management with Case Manager Applications of practice including theory and process. Students will be able to comprehend not only the role of the Case Manager but also the applications of professional practice in a wide variety of care settings. Students will examine key learning concepts such as reimbursement resources and challenges while practicing case management and financing of client’s medical benefits. Students will study health care reimbursement in both the private sector and the employer sector. Also examined are group medical plans, HMO’s, PPO’s and Point of Service Plans. Disability Plans, traditional and self-funded insurance plans and riders to life insurance policies are presented. A study of the case manager’s role in working with claims departments is presented as well. In this course we examine key leadership and management roles of the case manager in the practice of professional case management and the key skills and knowledge needed in todays challenging health care environment. New strategies for leading a case management department are examined as well. Students will study Predictive Modeling and Case Stratification and implications for their use in professional case management practice. Also examined in this course are: new characteristics of today’s health care system, the case manager’s role in the era of value-based health care, and new case management and healthcare provider approaches for managing the high-risk and high-cost patients. Students will then examine and study key topics focused on current challenges and emerging trends in case management which include: the aging population, medical advancements, dying in America, medication management, pain management, multiculturalism, health literacy, obesity, models of behavioral health in primary care, healthcare technology and trends, transformative healthcare approaches for the Millennial Generation and the ACA and its implications for case management practice. Students will use a textbook and will also be viewing selected Videos for this course.

Course Code: CM 565. Contact hours of education = 25. Course Cost: $165.00

• Course Information
• Register for Course
• Classroom Access

CM 580 – Managed Health Care

This is the fifth and last of the nurse case management courses in the continuing education program. This comprehensive course focuses on managed health care. The course provides participants with a comprehensive study of the history, development and implementation of managed health care systems. Students will study all facets of managed care, including structure, functions and implications for overall health care delivery. All models of managed care are reviewed. Participants will study legal issues as well as regulatory issues relevant to managed care and models of managed health care. Other issues presented include personnel issues, quality issues, evaluation of care models and systems and roles of health care professionals within managed health care models and systems. The insurance industry is examined and students will study all of the current reimbursement systems in place, including commercial and government funded and administered. This is an advanced course in the case management education program. Course content is of a more complex nature and requires learning of more complex materials.

Course Code: CM 580. Contact hours of education = 60. Cost: $175.00. 

• Course Information
• Register for Course
• Classroom Access

Additional Information

Prerequisite to enrolling in the continuing education program:

Registrants must meet at least one of the following:

• A registered nurse currently licensed to practice nursing
• A licensed practical nurse
• A licensed vocational nurse
• A licensed social worker
• A licensed physician
• A health care licensed professional who has at least one year experience working in a case management system
• Holds a bachelor’s degree or higher in human services, or other health related field.

If you would like to find out if you meet the qualifications for this fellowship program. Please submit an Inquiry Form at the following link: Access Inquiry Form Here.

Additional Links

What is Certification?

“A certification is a third-party attestation of an individual’s level of knowledge or proficiency in a certain industry or profession. They are granted by authorities in the field, such as professional societies and universities, or by private certificate-granting agencies. Most certifications are time-limited; some expire after a period of time (e.g., the lifetime of a product that required certification for use), while others can be renewed indefinitely as long as certain requirements are met. Renewal usually requires ongoing education to remain up-to-date on advancements in the field, evidenced by earning the specified number of continuing education credits (CECs), or continuing education units (CE’s), from approved professional development courses. “ 1

Certification is an official recognition from a “Professional Organization” that one has met all of the established standards as determined by that professional organization to be conferred the specific “certification” by that professional organization.  Certifications are most frequently established and conferred by “professional organizations.” Certification is thus a validation that a professional has thus achieved a high standard of knowledge, learning and skills in a specific specialty area of practice. It attests to an achievement in professional practice that is beyond that achieved for licensure. It is also specialty practice specific, rather than generic in nature.

Certification is distinctly different from ‘licensing.” Licensure is conferred /granted by the Government. In most all cases, licensure is the responsibility of the State Government. Every state has its own government agencies that oversee and confer licensure to professionals, i.e. the state boards of nursing.  Licensure is established by “laws” and then specific rules and regulations which conform to the tenets of the state’s laws. Licensure is granted and over-seen by state agencies. Certification, on the other hand, is NOT licensure and is not established by any “laws.”  Licensing agencies generally do not “oversee” professional certifications, unless their specific laws mandate a certain professional certification, in order to practice. An example of this would be: for a registered nurse to receive and be conferred a license as a “Nurse Practitioner” most states require that the RN also have Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.  So, in order to be licensed as a nurse practitioner, the nurse must hold certification from one of those two professional organizations. The State Board of Nursing does not oversee the certification, but rather requires it for nurse practitioner license.

Why Achieve a Certification?

“Professional certification shows consumers and potential employers that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities and knowledge. Certification makes you more valuable to employers, so you can expect to earn more than someone without certification. Certification also offers advancement opportunities.” 2  Other compelling reasons to consider a specialty practice certification include: Acquire advanced knowledge and skills in a sub-specialty health care practice: 1) Achieve national recognition for attainment of knowledge and skills by meeting established standards of professional advanced practice, 2). Enhance and expand your health care practice, 3). Increase your marketability, 4). Be viewed as a credentialed expert in your practice specialty, and 5). Become part of a professional group and network of recognized and certified health care specialists.

Report findings published on Nurse.com revealed the following regarding Nurses that held certifications: 1). Certified nurses make more money, 2). Certified nurses have respect and recognition, 3). Certified nurses have validated competence in their specialty area, 4). Certified nurses are more marketable and hireable, 5). Certified nurses perceive they have more power in their organizations, 6). Certified nurses have more professional opportunities, 7). Certified nurses have standing among their professional peers, and 8). Certified nurses are more confident. 3

While these study finds were specific to the nursing profession, we believe such benefits are applicable to all health care professionals who hold practice specialty certifications, especially related to recognition, opportunities in employment and validated competency in their practices.

Ongoing Learning

A major hallmark of quality Certification programs is the mandate that Certified Members commit to continued learning in order to maintain their certifications. This is most generally achieved by requiring a recertification process in which certified member’s document continued learning in their practice specialty by way of continuing education. Certifying bodies will establish quality standards for the requirements for its certified members to achieve contact hours of continuing education credits in order to maintain their certification status by the organization or association. 1, 2

The American Institute of Health Care Professionals upholds this high quality standard for recertification of its members by an established program of recertification via mandatory continuing education as well as clinical practice hours over a four-year time frame.  Certified members may recertify their status upon meeting the standards established for recertification of their practice specialties.

The AIHCP CE Model for Certification

The Model for Certification at the American Institute of Health Care Professionals is one based on a core curriculum of focused Continuing Education (CE) Courses. We feel strongly that the conferral of a professional certification requires the attainment of current knowledge and skills in a specialty practice and those who achieve certification should all have the same educational achievements and knowledge/skill base. We insure this by modeling our Certification programs on student’s achievements in a strong curriculum of continuing education in order to achieve our professional Certifications.

Why is continuing education important as a foundation of our model? There are several reasons why continuing education is important for health care professionals. First, it helps them keep up with the latest advances in their field. Second, it helps them maintain their skills and knowledge. Third, it helps them stay current with changes in the healthcare industry. Fourth, it helps them meet their licensure requirements. Finally, it helps them improve their patient care skills. With the rapid pace of change in the medical world, it is essential for health care professionals to keep abreast of new developments in order to provide the best possible care for their patients.

Another reason that we proposed continuing education courses as the foundation of our Certification model is that the benefits of continuing education courses are numerous. For one, they can keep you abreast of the latest developments in your field, which can be beneficial both professionally and personally. Additionally, they can help you network with other professionals in your field, which can lead to new opportunities. Finally, continuing education courses can simply be enjoyable and enriching, providing student candidates with a chance to learn new things and explore different topics.

Our model consists of several types of continuing education courses. Many of our CE courses are self-directed and self-paced with faculty-mentoring as required by the student candidates. Students utilize text books for the course and very often supplemental learning materials such as course handouts, articles and videos. Other types of courses we have include online video on demand lectures courses that provide for printable copies of the slides used in the videos.

All of our CE courses have examinations that must be successfully completed in order for students to receive credit for the courses and also receive a CE Course Certificate. Most all of the examinations on taken right online with a computerized system and are objective-type questions such as multiple choice and true/false questions. Students take the examination online and once completed receive immediate feedback of their examination score and the questions they may have missed including what the correct responses are to missed questions. Students must complete a comprehensive online course evaluation in order to receive their CE Course Certificate. Students may communicate with their course instructors regarding any questions they have about the examination both pre and post-test taking.

All of our CE Courses are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. We are an accredited provider of continuing education for the California Board of Registered Nursing. For many of our CE Courses we also have Board of Nursing Approval by the Florida Board of Nursing and the DC Board of Nursing. As well we are a Rule Approved Provider for CE by the following Boards of Nursing: Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky and New Mexico. The AIHCP is also an Approved Provider for Continuing Education by the South Carolina Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board.

Upon successful completion of our CE Courses, our student candidates receive a full-sized Course CE Certificate with the full name of the course, date of completion, number of earned contact hours as well as all Board and Organizational approvals for the course. As our student candidates are generally health care professionals they have the added benefit of being able to use their earned CE Course contact hours for their State re-licensing CE requirements and many can use them for their CE requirements for recertification in other professionals organizations.

Our foundational model of CE for Certification is also based on the importance to stay current in the health care field as changes in technology and treatments occur rapidly. As a health care professional, you need to be able to provide the best possible care for your patients. Staying current also allows you to keep up with the latest guidelines and standards of care. Additionally, new research is constantly emerging that can impact patient care.

In conclusion, our foundational model of continuing education courses for certification for health care professionals is important in order to keep up with the latest advancements in health care. They also help to refresh and update the skills of those who have been working in the field for many years. All of our courses can be taken online and are self-paced for the student candidate’s easy of self-paced learning and many employers offer financial assistance to employees who enter our programs.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_certification October 2018. Page 1.
2. https://www.collegetransfer.net/AskCT/WhatisProfessionalCertification/ October 2018
3. https://www.nurse.com/blog/2018/03/14/enjoy-the-perks-of-nurse-certification/ October 2018