Care management, including both care manager and case manager roles, is a rewarding career area where you can serve as a true advocate for patients. We recently chatted with Charlene, a case manager at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, about why she loves her job and what makes a standout care or case manager.

(If you’re interested in joining our care management team, view job openings in Seattle, Everett, Olympia, or Edmonds.)

The dynamic role of care manager at Providence Swedish

Care management is a dynamic field since each patient has unique needs. It’s the care manager’s job to assess those needs and develop a customized plan of care, then bridge gaps, monitor progress, and help families and patients navigate what’s next. For Charlene, who works in the emergency department (ED), this unpredictability is what makes the field so interesting.

A team environment built on respect and collaboration

Charlene says that one of the standout features of working at Providence Swedish is the strong sense of teamwork. “The team environment here, working with the providers and nurses, feels different,” she shares. “Everyone is present and reacting in the moment to provide critical care.”

The shared urgency contributes to mutual respect across roles, knowing all of the caregivers are in it together to work toward the best outcomes for the patients. “Even though I’m on the case management team, I am ultimately a part of the departmental team,” says Charlene. “So, they respect me as a team player.”

Key skills for a care manager or case manager

Care management is a great field for honing broad, transferable skills in business, relationship-building, and team-building that can accelerate long-term professional growth and success.

It requires a unique combination of clinical knowledge, empathy and problem-solving skills. Generally, care managers focus on holistic, personalized, longer-term care, while case managers act as liaisons within the medical system, managing resources and helping patients navigate insurance. Both can be nurses or social workers. Charlene says either type of experience brings valuable strengths.

“Case management aligns with both professions in different ways,” she says. “RNs have to be open to working with social dynamics. The social workers need to become familiar with the medical aspect. But both can be very successful in care management.”

Above all, she believes the role requires empathy and patience. “I think you need to just be willing to give your patients space to be heard,” Charlene continues. “Sometimes, we’re rushing to provide care and aren’t actually hearing our patients. So, I think an important aspect of care management is making that space to really listen.”

A mission that aligns with professional ethics

It’s important to work where your values align with your employer’s, and Charlene has found that at Providence Swedish. “The organization’s values align with my professional ethics,” she says. “That was one of the reasons why I really fell in love with Providence Swedish. It is such a perfect fit for me.”

Finding work-life balance at Providence Swedish

Healthcare careers can be demanding, which makes work-life balance critical for career longevity. Charlene loves that she’s been able to maintain a schedule that allows for a fulfilling career, time to be present for her family and time for herself.

She works three 12-hour shifts per week and says, “I definitely take advantage of my PTO. I need it for preventing burnout. Providence Swedish is really good at meeting people’s needs for time off.”

Join a team that makes a difference

A career in care management at Providence Swedish offers the opportunity to do challenging, meaningful work in a supportive, collaborative environment. Here, you’ll find an opportunity to use your skills to make a direct impact on the health and well-being of your community.

Explore care management opportunities.

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