How to Be Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The aging population is growing exponentially, resulting in a higher demand for geriatrics clinical care managers. These professionals play a vital role in providing quality, comprehensive care to elderly patients. They are responsible for coordinating healthcare services, monitoring long-term medical conditions, providing patient education, and arranging for social services and other resources.

they work with other healthcare providers to improve the overall health of their clients and ensure that they receive the best possible care. In turn, this helps to reduce the risk of hospital readmissions, prevent illness and disability, and improve the quality of life for the elderly.

Steps How to Become

  1. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The minimum educational requirement for becoming a clinical care manager in geriatrics is a bachelor's degree in health care management, nursing, social work or a related field. Depending on the employer and the state, an additional master's degree may be required.
  2. Complete an Internship. Internships provide hands-on experience in health care settings. These programs provide the opportunity to work directly with patients and learn how to interact with them and handle their medical needs.
  3. Obtain Certification. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with a certification in geriatric care management. This certification is available through the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM). To qualify for this certification, individuals must have at least two years of previous experience working with elderly patients.
  4. Obtain Licensure. Depending on the state, licensure may also be required to become a clinical care manager in geriatrics. Requirements vary by state, but commonly include passing an exam, completing an accredited training program, and obtaining a certain amount of professional experience.
  5. Stay Current on Changes in Healthcare. Healthcare regulations are constantly changing. Clinical care managers must stay up to date on new laws and regulations that affect the delivery of healthcare to elderly patients.

The key to providing ideal and competent geriatrics clinical care is to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates the expertise of physicians, nurses, social workers, and therapists. This approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the geriatric patient's needs, and creates a plan of care that is tailored to their individual health issues. An effective geriatric care manager should have the knowledge and skills to coordinate and monitor the care of the patient, and be familiar with the resources available for them.

They should also be able to communicate effectively with the patient, their family, and other members of the care team. By having an experienced geriatric care manager in place, it is possible to provide optimal care for the elderly patient and help improve their quality of life.

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Job Description

  1. Develop and implement care plans for geriatric patients, including assessments, evaluations, and follow-up services.
  2. Coordinate with physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to develop comprehensive geriatric care plans.
  3. Monitor patient progress and adjust care plans as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes for geriatric patients.
  4. Educate patients and families about medical conditions, treatments, and medications.
  5. Provide counseling and emotional support to patients and family members.
  6. Advocate for patients in public or private healthcare settings.
  7. Maintain accurate records of patient care, including visits, treatments, medications, and test results.
  8. Manage financial aspects of care, such as billing, insurance claims, and payment plans.
  9. Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations related to geriatric care.
  10. Liaise with community agencies and other healthcare organizations to provide additional support and resources for geriatric patients.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of geriatric care and aging process
  2. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement patient-centered care plans
  3. Skilled in assessing and addressing the physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and functional needs of elderly patients
  4. Experience in coordinating treatments and services for elderly patients
  5. Ability to provide comprehensive geriatric assessments and preventive care interventions
  6. Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with elderly patients, families, and healthcare providers in a respectful and compassionate manner
  7. Familiarity with current trends and evidence-based practices related to geriatric care
  8. Ability to identify red flags and risks associated with geriatric care
  9. Expertise in conducting comprehensive geriatric assessments
  10. Skilled in developing and implementing appropriate care plans, including medication management
  11. Knowledge of social and community resources available for geriatric patients
  12. Ability to advocate for the needs of geriatric patients on the healthcare team
  13. Proficiency in utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems to document and track patient care
  14. Excellent organizational and time-management skills

Successful Geriatrics Clinical Care Managers need to have excellent interpersonal skills in order to build a positive rapport with their patients and the family members of their patients. They must be able to effectively communicate with both elderly patients and their families in order to understand their needs and provide the best possible care. Geriatrics Clinical Care Managers need to have strong organizational skills in order to keep track of patient records, medications, and treatments.

They must be able to multitask, prioritize tasks, and handle multiple responsibilities at once. Finally, they must have strong decision-making skills in order to make informed decisions based on their patient’s needs. With these skills, Geriatrics Clinical Care Managers will be able to ensure the best possible care for elderly patients and their families.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have working with geriatric patients?
  • What challenges have you faced in managing geriatric patients?
  • Describe a successful clinical care management program you have implemented.
  • How do you ensure that clinical care plans are tailored to meet the needs of each patient?
  • What strategies do you use to ensure that clinical care is cost effective?
  • How do you ensure that patient safety is maintained during clinical care management?
  • How do you maintain positive relationships with families, caregivers, and other healthcare providers?
  • What strategies do you use to educate patients and families about their care plans?
  • How do you ensure that clinical decisions are evidence-based and up to date?
  • How do you balance the need for autonomy with the need to ensure best practice standards are met?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Electronic Medical Records (EMR). A digital record-keeping system for storing and managing patient data, such as medical history and test results. (Eg: Epic)
  2. Care Plan Management Software. Software designed to help healthcare providers develop and manage patient care plans. (Eg: Krysaliis CarePlanner)
  3. Population Health Management Software. Software designed to help healthcare providers identify and address the health needs of a population, such as elderly patients. (Eg: Cerner Population Health)
  4. Geriatric Assessment Tools. Tools designed to assess the needs of older patients, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale or Mini-Mental State Examination. (Eg: GDS-15)
  5. Patient Portal. A secure online platform for patients to access their medical information and communicate with their healthcare providers. (Eg: MyChart)
  6. Telemedicine Platforms. Software designed to enable healthcare providers to communicate with and treat patients remotely. (Eg: Teladoc)
  7. Clinical Decision Support Systems. Software designed to help healthcare providers make decisions about patient care by providing evidence-based recommendations. (Eg: UpToDate)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. American Geriatrics Society
  2. Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
  3. National Association for Professional Geriatric Care Managers
  4. National Council on Aging
  5. American Academy of Family Physicians
  6. American Medical Directors Association
  7. American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
  8. American Society on Aging
  9. International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
  10. National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

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Common Important Terms

  1. Geriatric Assessment. A comprehensive evaluation of an older adult's physical, psychological, social, and functional status to identify and address health needs.
  2. Geriatric Syndromes. A set of common and treatable conditions that can affect the elderly, including falls, frailty, incontinence, dementia, delirium, depression, and malnutrition.
  3. Care Planning. A collaborative process between a healthcare provider, patient, and caregivers that defines goals and objectives to improve the patient's health.
  4. Caregiver Support. Resources and services available to assist family members or other individuals who provide care for an elderly person.
  5. Medication Management. The monitoring of medications taken by an elderly person to ensure they are taken correctly and the effects are monitored.
  6. Geriatric Outreach Services. Services offered to the elderly to help them remain independent in their homes, including home safety assessments, nutrition education, and transportation assistance.
  7. Palliative Care. A holistic approach to care that focuses on relieving symptoms and providing comfort to an elderly person with a terminal illness.
  8. End-of-Life Care. Care that focuses on managing symptoms and providing comfort during the last stages of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager?

A Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager is a healthcare professional who provides comprehensive care management services for older adults and their families. They coordinate and monitor medical, social, psychological, and functional needs of clients to ensure they receive the best possible care.

What are the responsibilities of a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager?

The primary responsibilities of a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager include assessing the needs of clients, developing individualized care plans, providing direct services such as medication management and nutrition counseling, advocating for clients and their families, connecting clients with appropriate resources, and monitoring the client's progress.

What qualifications are needed to become a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager?

A Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager typically requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a health-related field, such as nursing or social work, and experience working with older adults. Additionally, some states require licensure or certification in geriatric care management.

What kind of salary can a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager expect to earn?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager is $60,818 per year. Salaries can range from $40,000 to $80,000 depending on experience and location.

What types of organizations hire Geriatrics Clinical Care Managers?

Geriatrics Clinical Care Managers are employed by a variety of organizations including hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and other healthcare organizations. They may also work in private practice or consult in the community.

Web Resources

  • Clinical Care | Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine - University of … geriatrics.uw.edu
  • MSN in Clinical Care Management Degree | CCU Online www.ccu.edu
  • Geriatric Medicine - Department of Internal Medicine - VCU intmed.vcu.edu
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