What does a social services case manager do?
Social services case managers conduct in-person appointments and phone intake assessments. They manage the organization's documents and report for non-federal grants and federal grants. These professionals counsel clients and their families, making it easy to develop life skills, service plan goals, and sustain financial stability. Social services case managers also conduct activities and monitor the service environment to maximize client well-being and success. Furthermore, social services case managers maximize client assistance by working with community partners.
Social services case manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real social services case manager resumes:
- Manage a caseload TANF clients, assess clients eligibility to receive benefits, assist with placement of clients in various programs.
- Work close with DHS on documents and monthly reports need.
- Complete weekly chart audits, maintain weekly 2010E housing reports mandate by DHS and closely monitor vacancy report.
- Assist patients with the rigorous application process necessary to obtain state-issu health insurance.
- Assist probationers and juveniles with job placement assistance, refer clientele to appropriate Medicaid /housing/ food assistance programs.
- Complete and process all Medicaid/Medicare and third party insurance applications for patients and residents in need of public assistance.
- Receive client referral from medicaid-approve agency and determine eligibility of client base on professional diagnostic evaluation tools and Medicaid guidelines.
- Write progress notes, maintain client records and assist with reporting requirements (HMIS).
- Schedule and attend IDT meetings.
- Conduct intensive case management and quality control for file accuracy in order to ensure HUD regulations are accurately implement.
Social services case manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Social Services Case Managers are proficient in Social Work, Social Services, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Compassion, Time-management skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Social Services Case Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Social Work, 17%
Worked closely with government representation on military installations, assisted with child abuse investigations when referred by social workers.
- Social Services, 12%
92026Managed the Social Services department of a 48-bed skilled nursing facility while developing and maintaining patient and family relationships.
- Patients, 8%
Acted as Health Maintenance Organization Case Manager within skilled nursing facility to ensure that patients understood their medical coverage and benefits.
- Mental Health, 8%
Assessed immediate safety of children involved to determine services needed to stabilize families including chemical dependency services and mental health referrals.
- Discharge Planning, 6%
Arrange discharge planning by utilizing public and private agencies and community organizations.
- Crisis Intervention, 5%
Conducted patient/client intakes, participated in treatment team planning, performed crisis intervention.
Common skills that a social services case manager uses to do their job include "social work," "social services," and "patients." You can find details on the most important social services case manager responsibilities below.
Compassion. One of the key soft skills for a social services case manager to have is compassion. You can see how this relates to what social services case managers do because "social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." Additionally, a social services case manager resume shows how social services case managers use compassion: "provided care and compassion, while addressing deep hurt and psychological harm. "
Time-management skills. Many social services case manager duties rely on time-management skills. "social and human service assistants often work with many clients," so a social services case manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways social services case manager responsibilities rely on time-management skills: "interviewed clients/completed applications for food stamps/fitap/transitional medicaid, verified statements, determined initial or continuing in/eligibility within deadlines. "
Communication skills. social services case managers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to social services case manager responsibilities, because "social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help." A social services case manager resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "assessed level of risk to children with interviews and communication with law enforcement. "
Interpersonal skills. social services case manager responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues." This resume example shows what social services case managers do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "lead monthly interpersonal process groups, including groups for domestic violence survivors or helping clients develop life skills. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a social services case manager to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what social services case managers relies on this skill, since "social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients." How this skill relates to social services case manager duties can be seen in an example from a social services case manager resume snippet: "initiate and attend organizational and community based meetings as required to ensure appropriate service delivery and to identify potential recourses. "
Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to social services case manager responsibilities. Much of what a social services case manager does relies on this skill, seeing as "social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of social services case managers: "provided crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and mediation as needed. "
The three companies that hire the most social services case managers are:
- The Salvation Army6 social services case managers jobs
- Houston Methodist3 social services case managers jobs
- Tri-City Medical Center3 social services case managers jobs
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Compare different social services case managers
Social services case manager vs. Volunteer
Volunteers are usually unpaid individuals who render their service to a company or organization. Most of the time, volunteers are skilled in specific areas needed by the organization but prefer to provide free service. They may be employed in another organization, but they lend their time and talent to another organization or company to give back to the community. They raise funds, create awareness, and work on the ground. Volunteers usually choose a cause or advocacy close to their heart, such as teaching children, taking care of the elderly, coaching sports teams, cleaning up communities, and caring for animals.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a social services case manager are more likely to require skills like "social work," "social services," "patients," and "mental health." On the other hand, a job as a volunteer requires skills like "patient charts," "patient care," "front desk," and "community outreach." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, volunteers reach lower levels of education than social services case managers. Volunteers are 11.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Social services case manager vs. Coordinator
Coordinators are responsible for liaising between the department they are assigned to and any other external party. They oversee projects or agreements. They are in charge of following through negotiations between the two parties regarding work. They see through the conduct of such contracts by ensuring that all terms are amenable to both parties. They maintain records and other necessary data and paperwork. They also ensure that office policy and guidelines are being followed. Coordinators also ensure that all projects are completed efficiently and effectively.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, social services case manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "social work," "social services," "mental health," and "discharge planning." Meanwhile, a coordinator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "excellent organizational," "data entry," and "excellent guest." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Coordinators earn a higher average salary than social services case managers. But coordinators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $51,731. Additionally, social services case managers earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $39,234 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Coordinators tend to reach lower levels of education than social services case managers. In fact, they're 8.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for social services case managers in the next 3-5 years?
Virginia Schwindt
MSW Field Director/Associate Professor, Union University
Social services case manager vs. Human service specialist
Human services specialists provide a range of social services with the purpose of improving the quality of life of people they serve. They can work for organizations, including housing associations, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, residential care homes, and food banks. Most of their duties involve interacting with people and conduct counseling. This job also requires active listening skills to comprehend your clients easily and understand their needs to provide care for people in difficult circumstances.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a social services case manager is likely to be skilled in "discharge planning," "face-to-face interviews," "child victims," and "risk assessments," while a typical human service specialist is skilled in "program eligibility," "community resources," "human services," and "rehabilitation."
Human service specialists earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $49,059. Social services case managers earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $39,234.human service specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to social services case managers. Specifically, they're 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Social services case manager vs. Case management specialist
In healthcare facilities, a case management specialist is in charge of ensuring that patients get quality service. Their responsibilities often include handling admission and discharge procedures, preparing and processing documents, gathering and organizing patient information, and developing strategies to optimize case management operations. There are also instances where they must address patient concerns and issues, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a case management specialist, it is essential to function while adhering to the facility's policies and regulations.
Types of social services case manager
Updated January 8, 2025
