What is a senior case manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Meredith Bertrand,

Sabrina Sullenberger Ph.D.

A senior case manager coordinates and supervises the delivery of services to clients with complex needs. These managers work in a variety of settings, including healthcare, social services, and mental health organizations. Senior case managers assess client needs, develop care plans, coordinate with other professionals, advocate for clients, and monitor client progress. They also provide guidance and support to junior case managers and ensure compliance with regulations and ethical standards.

What general advice would you give to a senior case manager?

Dr. Meredith Bertrand

Chair of Education; Associate Professor of Education, Elms College

History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.

ScoreSenior Case ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $40,691

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.79%

Asian 6.82%

Black or African American 12.00%

Hispanic or Latino 20.72%

Unknown 4.82%

White 53.85%

Gender

female 72.46%

male 27.54%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a senior case manager?

Pros

Opportunity to help people in need
High level of job satisfaction
Good salary and benefits
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Flexible work schedule

Cons

High stress environment
Long hours and demanding workload
Constantly changing policies and regulations to keep up with
Little room for error as mistakes can have serious consequences
Can involve working outside of normal business hours

Key steps to become a senior case manager

Explore senior case manager education requirements

Most common senior case manager degrees

Bachelor's

63.6 %

Master's

17.8 %

Associate

12.7 %

Start to develop specific senior case manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Social Work	12.24%
Crisis Intervention	9.48%
Patients	9.45%
Community Resources	7.20%
Financial Assistance	5.28%

Complete relevant senior case manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior case managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior case manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior case manager resumes.

Research senior case manager duties and responsibilities

Provide clients support with basic ADL's (shopping, payee services, budgets, managing and attending appointments).
Negotiate access to medically necessary procedures and treatments for patients in the hospital and/or physician office setting.
Educate patients on technical and disease management terminology and continue to provide ongoing support and information during their care process.
Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.

Get senior case manager experience

Generally, it takes 6-12 months to become a senior case manager. The most common roles before becoming a senior case manager include case manager, internship team lead and staff nurse.

Prepare your senior case manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior case manager resume.

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