Developmental Disabilities Case Manager Job Description

Bachelor's Degree in Disability Case Management

Disability case management is a specialized field in healthcare services that focuses on assessing disabled individuals for services in order to address physical and mental health needs. The case management process is done in a team and the case manager is only one part. The primary areas of focus for disability case management are facilitating communication between stakeholders, advocating on behalf of disabled clients, assessing and reviewing clients' needs, and identifying appropriate interventions that promote a greater level of functioning for clients.

Helping clients achieve their highest level of functioning is beneficial for everyone, including the client, service providers, the healthcare and insurance systems, and society as a whole. Disability case management ensures the optimal level of independence for disabled individuals by increasing clients' level of functioning, autonomy, and capabilities, and also ensures timely application of services in a fiscally responsible manner. Disability case managers are usually in a healthcare setting and are responsible for managing care services for disabled clients.

Disability case managers work with clients to identify goals for improvement, which may include improved physical, mental, emotional, or Vocational functioning. A disability case manager is supposed to help disabled individuals get the services they need in order to achieve their goals, as well as provide assistance in procuring the services they need by acting on behalf of the disabled individual. In order to provide the best services possible, disability case managers interview clients, review their health records, and speak with medical and mental health professionals in order to develop a picture of their client's needs.

Once a determination has been made as to the type and level of services required, the appropriate care providers are contacted by the disability case managers. A child with a disability might need specialized services in order to attain the highest quality of life possible. Disability case managers are responsible for making that happen.

Disability case managers are charged with continually reviewing the care received to ensure the level of care is appropriate. When a client is not functioning at their best, the case managers adjust the care plan to better address the client's needs. If an elderly client sustains a hip injury, the disability case manager would make a new assessment of the client's needs and add physical therapy or more robust nursing assistance to address the client's physical needs.

Early Intervention Case Managers

Early intervention is a service for young children with disabilities. Early intervention case managers provide services to infants and toddlers. There is a shortage of trained early intervention specialists and an increasing need to help children earlier in their development.

The educational requirements for early intervention case managers vary by state. In most cases, early intervention case managers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in an allied health profession, such as speech and language pathology or physical therapy, or another human services field. Some states will accept candidates with an associate's degree in fields such as occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant or nursing, if they have a high school diploma, GED or bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.

Early intervention case managers work in a variety of settings. They might be required to make home visits or visit preschools. They can work part-time or full-time.

The early intervention case managers work on weekdays. The coordination of care services is the main responsibility of early intervention case managers. They are usually members of in-depth health-care teams that include social workers, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, and physicians.

The Case Manager: An Experience Report

The case manager has 10 years of experience working with individuals and their families with physical disabilities and financial limitations so that they can live more productive and healthy lives. It fosters an environment of growth and development. Good professional public relations, works well under stress, and is in line with federal and state policies and procedures are some of the areas of expertise.

Provide services to disabled individuals and their families. Yearly reviews are conducted to determine eligibility. Refer to and develop resources for individual needs.

Ensure that educational, employment and health providers meet individual needs by acting as the consumers advocate. The leader of the interdisciplinary team is responsible for the development, implementation and modification of the Individual Plan. The caseload was maintained between 65 and 104 individuals.

Interviews were conducted to obtain personal and financial history so that eligibility for programs can be determined on a case by case basis. Home, Vocational and educational site visits are made on a bi-annual basis to maintain eligibility for financial and program assistance. Attended training to keep up with the latest state and federal policies.