What is a social work case manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Virginia Schwindt,

Sabrina Sullenberger Ph.D.

Social work case managers provide support and assistance to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. They assess clients' needs, develop care plans, and coordinate services to meet their needs. Social work case managers work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, community centers, and government agencies. Social work case managers advocate for clients' rights and help them navigate complex systems and resources, while also providing emotional support and counseling to help clients cope with their challenges.

What general advice would you give to a social work case manager?

Virginia Schwindt

MSW Field Director/Associate Professor, Union University

Take the licensing test as soon as you are able to, and be open to where you work. It is great to want a specific population or employer, but being open to other experiences may be where God wants you to be. Don't limit yourself because, as a social worker, you can do so many different things.

ScoreSocial Work Case ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $45,321

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.10%

Asian 6.37%

Black or African American 12.94%

Hispanic or Latino 17.97%

Unknown 5.12%

White 55.49%

Gender

female 80.62%

male 19.38%

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 social work case manager?

Pros

Opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of clients
Opportunity to work with diverse populations
Collaborative work with interdisciplinary teams
Opportunity to develop strong therapeutic relationships with clients
Chance to promote social justice and equity

Cons

High stress and burnout rates
Exposure to trauma and difficult situations
Limited resources and funding for services
Challenging interactions with clients and families
Difficulty balancing multiple cases and responsibilities

Key steps to become a social work case manager

Explore social work case manager education requirements

Most common social work case manager degrees

Bachelor's

55.2 %

Master's

35.9 %

Associate

6.3 %

Start to develop specific social work case manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Social Work	37.89%
Patients	20.14%
Social Services	4.61%
Discharge Planning	4.42%
Acute Care	3.82%

Complete relevant social work case manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New social work 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 social work case manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real social work case manager resumes.

Research social work case manager duties and responsibilities

Collaborate with partners including public and private agencies to achieve permanency for children.
Facilitate resource management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies that help patients remain safe and independent in their home environment.
Review inpatient hospital medical records using InterQual criteria to determine that patient admission meet quality and utilization standards.
Adhere to rules and regulations pertinent to inpatient rehabilitation as defined by Medicare/Medicaid and other licensing and accrediting organizations.

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