Case Management Certification Program
Frequently asked Questions and Responses (FAQs)
Welcome to the FAQs section for the American Academy of Case Management. This area is provided to you as a source of information that may be more clarified, related to questions you may have in regards to our fellowship certification programs. Information regarding re-application for continued Fellowship, as well as information about our online continuing education courses, is also provided.
We highly recommend that you first thoroughly review all of the information on our website, under the main page for case management and Fellowship. Access main page. If after reviewing all of the provided information and this FAQs section, any other questions may be addressed by completing our request for information form online (access info form). Thank you for your interest in the American Academy of Case Management.
CASE MANAGEMENT BLOG: Please visit our interactive Case Management web blog. Our blog contains article, news and current events and information related to case management practice in health care.
What is FELLOWSHIP Certification?
Response: certification is a voluntary process, which is provided by a well organized organization, that through its qualified advisory boards, develops comprehensive and quality standards for the practice of a type of specialty. The developed standards address high quality requirements for the practice of a certain specialty. The defined standards speak to educational and/or practice requirements, any required prerequisites, and the need to adhere to a defined code of ethics for the practice specialty. Certification is a voluntary process. It is different than any type of licensing. Certification is one means by which professionals may be publicly recognized as achieving a high level of education, knowledge base and practice skills for a certain healthcare related specialty. Certification also assists employer organizations and clients in their assessment of appropriate qualifications for candidates seeking positions in organizations and/or involved in private practices. It is commonly held, today, that certification by a very well organized professional organization, is fast becoming a "gold standard" for specialty practices. Certification testifies and provides a verification of defined educational requirements, adherence to a solid code of ethics, and in many instances prerequisites of practice experience for the practice of case management.
Our members receive a "Fellowship" in Case Management as an outcome of the credentialing process. Fellows may use the initials: "FAACM" after their names which stands for "Fellow in the American Academy of Case Management." We consider Fellowship to be a very high level of credentialing, signifying advanced education and practice experiences, leading to the attainment of this designation. Fellowship in a professional organization is generally regarded as the attainment of the highest level of possible recognition and credentialing in a specialty practice.
What are the criteria/standards I will need to meet to achieve Fellowship?
Response: The educational criteria and standards are well and clearly defined within our website. Please access our main page to preview these requirements. Access here.
Over the years, I have completed many seminars and continuing education courses related to case management. Will these apply toward the education requirements for fellowship?
Response: Your past completed education may well qualified you as meeting the standards/criteria to apply for Fellowship. To establish approval of your past education completion it is necessary that you submit, with your completed application, verification of all completed seminars and/or courses. This includes college-level courses and or continuing education courses. Once received, the administrative board and staff will review all of your submissions and verifications and make the decision as to whether or not your past education achievements meets the standards and criteria for Fellowship. You will be notified by postal mail within 7 to 14 days regarding the decision of the acceptance or disapproval of any past education completions. In many instances, submitted verifications of education directly related to case management are accepted. Most rejections occur because the education completed was not directly related to the practice specialty of case management. Also, the total accumulation of education in case management needs to meet our minimum requirement of 160 hours of education hours and inclusive of this, education must have been undertaken in "managed care."
must i be a registered nurse to achieve fellowship ?
Response: not necessarily. While many practicing case managers today are registered nurses, they are not the only professional who have qualified to practice case management. Case Management is also practiced by social workers and other behavioral health specialists, respiratory therapists, geriatric counselors, occupational therapists, insurance specialist, etc. Regardless of the practice setting and professional occupation/licensure, candidate applying for Fellowship need to meet the defined criteria for application and conferral. Also, licensed professionals must hold a current license to practice their profession within their state or country.
has the american academy of case management approved any education programs that qualify one to apply for fellowship?
Response: Yes. AACM has reviewed and approved several programs which will qualify graduates to apply for Fellowship in the Academy. View approved programs. We continue to review programs, as requested by the academic administrator of case management education programs. If the program meets our standards for broad-based content in case management, including education in managed care, at a minimum of 160 hours of education, then we will consider approval of the program.
What is the role of the Certified Case Manager?
The role of the certified case manager is varied by practice setting. We have prepared a page that speaks to the current and evolving roles. You may access this page here:
Click here
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ACHIEVING THIS CERTIFICATION?
Response: There is a two-phase process. In order to provide clear and sufficient information on the process we have developed a separate page that defines the process. You may access this information on the certification process at this link: click here.
How can I make application?
Response: Making application is an easy process. We provide on this website a link to a printable application. Those wishing to make application may access this link, print out the application form, completed it, and submit it to our office for review. You may access online applications at this link. Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All applications that are submitted must be complete and include all required documents and verifications as specified for review and consideration of certification conferral.
Once I have achieved Fellowship, does it ever expire?
Response: Yes. A conferred Fellowship has a period of 4 years. At the end of the four-year period the Fellowship will expire. The American Academy of Case Management provides a full program for continuing status of Fellowship. Detailed information on the criteria is provided on our website. Access here.
Our organization is sponsoring a one-day seminar on the topic of case management. Does the American Academy of case management provide for program approvals for CEU credits?
Response: Yes. We do offer a full program for the approval of education courses, seminars, and other related learning activities related to the topic of case management practice. If an application for approval is approved, then the sponsoring organization may declare on its CEU certificates that the program has been up reviewed and approved by the American Academy of Case Management. More information is available on our website, access here.
I am currently a fellow in the American Academy of case management. I know I am required to achieve additional education in case management in order to qualify for re-fellowship in the future. Does the American Academy of case management offer any continuing education courses that I may take to meet my education requirements?
Response: Yes. We do offer one online continuing education course at this time, which current "Fellows" register for and take, to meet their education requirements for re-application of their Fellowship. These courses are provided within online classrooms and are continuing education courses. Current Fellows of the Academy may register for these courses at any time. Also, more courses will be added in the near future.
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