A memorable case manager resume pulls all your details together to give a complete picture of your career, just as your case files do for your clients. The ideal resume will put you in the perfect place to grab that interview — and your next big job.
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You aren’t helping your clients by yourself and you don’t have to create your job application alone either. The powerful resources for job seekers you will find at Resume.io, which include resume guides and resume examples for 300+ professions and an easy-to-use resume builder will give you the boost you need. Let us give you the tools to confidently express yourself and impress employers with a case manager resume that highlights your best.
This resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:
- What does a case manager do?
- How to write a case manager resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a case manager resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a case manager do?
Case manager is a broad category that encompasses all people who oversee health and medical needs of clients. Their responsibilities vary depending on the setting in which they work, however, in general case managers are responsible for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring the treatment needs of patients while overseeing their overall progress.
After examinations and assessments, a care plan is put in place. Case managers implement appropriate treatment programs and coordinate the services being provided to patients, including setting schedules, and arranging for access to necessary resources and transportation. Case managers must maintain accurate client records and record events details regarding progress. They relay important information to staff and the families of clients, in an effort to fully support the client and their program.
Within the health and medical field there are:
- Hospital case managers: Usually nurses who make sure patients are getting proper care in the right setting. They also coordinate discharge plans.
- Home health case managers: They provide hands-on care as well as coordinating services.
- Health insurance case manager: They ensure that services are provided efficiently and economically.*
Source: Very Well Health
Curious how other resumes in the social work sector look? Check out the resume examples here below.
- Caregiver resume sample
- Geriatric Social Worker resume sample
- Drug and Alcohol Counselor resume sample
- Healthcare Social Worker resume sample
- Community Outreach Coordinator resume sample
- Babysitter resume sample
- Nanny resume sample
- Juvenile Counselor resume sample
- Social Worker resume sample
- Youth Service Specialist resume sample
Case manager job market and outlook
An aging population and the pandemic have created an explosion in the need for case managers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not break out case managers, but projects the market for social and community services managers will leap 17% by 2029. In the same timeframe medical and health services managers job are expected to skyrocket 32%.
In this physically and emotionally demanding job, income depends on experience, education and certification. The typical salary range for a case manager is $78,284-$91,829 with a median of $84,738, Salary.com reports. As demand rises, case managers may get the upper hand when it comes to negotiating for better pay and conditions.
How to write a case manager resume
Before you begin writing your case manager resume, you need to know all the sections that go into it. Your resume sample should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
A successful case manager knows how to present the big picture and what details to bring out. These skills will come in handy as you compile your resume. You need to keep a consistent tone, style and message that is aimed at your audience — in this case, the hiring manager.
Look into the healthcare organization you are applying to. Find out all you can about it. For example: How many patients does it serve? What services does it provide? Is it overwhelmed due to the pandemic? Try to find out the name of the hiring manager and their background. You may find you have a connection you can bring up at the appropriate time. Once you have a sense of the facility, you will be much better equipped to address its needs, which is the whole goal of your case manager resume.
Making a great case for yourself includes following these recommendations:
- Keep the focus on how your skills and experience will help the organization
- Create a crisp, clean resume layout to present a professional visual image
- Use targeted keywords and phrases so you don’t get caught by the ATS screening filter
Another hurdle: The Applicant Tracking System
Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, are software programs that scan, sort and assess resumes for human resources departments. There are dozens of these designed specifically for healthcare professionals. The organizations you apply to are likely to use one of these systems to narrow the range of candidates to a manageable few.
There’s no guaranteed method of leaping this hurdle, but there are ways to improve your chances. This is where your research will help you. Review the listing looking for the job requirements. Organically incorporate as many of the same nouns, verbs and modifiers in your resume text as possible. Make sure you use your own language and context. You want the text of your volunteer resume to flow naturally and to have your voice.
Choosing the best resume format for a case manager
As a case manager, do you want to know what’s happening with your patient today and then easily look back to what has happened? Probably. Recruiters feel the same way. They want to know where you are in your career and then where you came from. That means using the reverse chronological order format in your employment history section.
A hybrid resume format may suit you if you are a career changer or are entering the job market for the first time. Functional resumes are not favored by recruiters. You should only consider using this format if you are in a highly technical or specialized field as it allows you to emphasize your skills over your work history.
In most instances, we recommend reverse chronological order for case managers.
Resume summary example: the patient briefing
When you present a patient to your colleagues to discuss their needs, you give an overview and choose the most important points while giving an idea of who the patient is as a person. Because of that, you should be excellent at writing the summary portion of your case manager resume!
The summary, also known as a profile, answers the question, “Why should you hire me?” by describing yourself in strong, positive words and highlighting a career best. This two-three sentence section should complement the details you are going to present in the rest of the document.
See resume sample content below for summary ideas.
Passionate and experienced Case Manager specializing in assessing the needs of clients and working closely with them to access needed services and start on their way to a renewed and transformed life. Coordinate care among multiple service providers to best serve the client and serve as a driven advocate for each and every one of my clients. Ensure that a family's comprehensive health needs are met by creating effective plans of treatment and recovery. A commitment to privacy, well-being, and quality care.
For a few more ideas for this most creative resume section, click over to our related social work resume examples. The medical social worker resume sample is a good general jumping off point.
Employment history sample: a healthy career
The employment history section of your case manager resume tells recruiters where you are and what you have done in your career. Use bullet items to call attention to each of your points. Present these points as achievements and tangible outcomes. Data and details back up your assertions and make for stronger evidence for your case for employment.
You may also consider detailing one or two cases that exemplify your style and case management philosophy.
Strong words
You need to present yourself as an organized and empathetic problem-solver, listener and communicator. Your language counts! Use strong action words that paint a picture of you on the job. Some examples: orchestrated, formulated, expedited, redesigned.
If you are struggling, use a thesaurus to find synonyms. Just don’t overdo it or you may end up sounding unnatural.
Feel free to sprinkle in a little healthcare jargon, with the same caution.
See our customizable resume example content below.
- Served as a dedicated Case Manager for more than 200 clients, helping them to seek and receive the necessary care they deserve.
- Assessed elderly and disabled adults to create the most comprehensive care plans for them.
- Coordinated home care services while thoroughly documenting the progress and changes in a client's physical and emotional behavior.
- Assisted in accepting and screening all referrals to the program.
- Built and maintained relationships with external providers.
- Maintained effective data collection systems, always striving for ultimate accountability.
- Implementing and ensuring complete compliance with all regulatory standards.
CV skills example: your career pulse
Your CV skills section may seem redundant, but it is far from it. This key block of 4-7 skills is often the first place recruiters look. Why? There are several reasons:
- To see if you have the skills they seek
- To check that you addressed the exact job
- To get an idea of the skills you believe are most important for the job. (Notice that the resume sample text below focuses on mental health.)
Consider creating a “master list” of every skill or attribute you use on the job. Don’t hold back. Then, categorize these skills in a way that makes sense to you. As you apply for each job, check the job listing for requirements and match up your skills section to those your prospective employer seeks.
Balance soft and hard skills
As a financial advisor, you definitely need to understand and analyze markets as well as financial products and services. Those hard skills, or the ones you learned in school and on the job, are very important. On the other hand, you should not underplay soft skills, or the people and organizational skills that allow you to rise above.
Here are a few skills Nurse Leader Insider lists as important for case managers:
- Problem-solving
- Role modeling
- Time management
- Clinical know-how
- Cultural sensitivity
Of course, you also need healthcare and treatment knowledge.
See resume example content below for a starting point.
- Mental Health Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Documentation and Case Management
- Mental Health Assessments
- Quality Patient Care
Case manager resume education example
Education and certification are important factors for case managers. In the education section of your case manager resume, you will list these achievements. There’s no need to go into detail unless you have taken a specific class that speaks to your job qualifications.
If you hold many certifications or qualifications, you may choose to create a separate section. Just make sure your resume does not go longer than two pages.
If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor’s degree, you may leave your high school off your resume sample.
See the resume example content below for formatting.
- 2010-2013 Villanova University, Master of Criminal Justice Villanova, PA
- 2005-2007 Ohio State University, Bachelor of Criminal Justice Columbus, OH
Resume layout and design: first impressions
Cleanliness and neatness are key components of healthcare facilities, so your resume should reflect that. A messy layout may give the impression of a messy worker. Choose a design that is easy-to-read and crisply professional template. You may be tempted to add a few flourishes to help your resume stand out, but keep it to a small splash of color or alternate (but legible) font for your contact information.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Go easy on your reader’s eyes by leaving plenty of white space. Bullet points help, as do varying the line lengths.
- Resist the temptation to narrow the margins or lower the type size to fit in more of your amazing accomplishments. If it’s too hard to read, your carefully crafted bullet items won’t matter.
- Proofread, or use an online resume-builder (like ours) that includes spellcheck.
Consider using one of our expertly-designed resume templates to save time and hassle.
Key takeaways for a case manager resume
- The skills you have nurtured as a case manager will help you write an impressive summary section.
- The demand for case managers is growing quickly because of an aging population and the pandemic, but this career can be emotionally and physically draining.
- Choose your words carefully: Personalize to avoid filtering by the ATS.
- Take the pain out of formatting by using our online resume maker and get those job applications out faster!
