FAQs
Membership
Certification
Continuing Education (CEs)
Events, Advertising, Sponsorship and Other Opportunities
Membership FAQs
What are the different levels of NAPGCM Membership?
NAPGCM is divided into two brackets of membership, Individual Geriatric Care Manager Membership and Affiliate Company Membership.
Individual Geriatric Care Manager Membership is for those who aspire to or are currently engaged in the direct practice, administration or supervision of client-centered services to the elderly and their families. This bracket of membership is based on a “career ladder”, and ranges from Student members, to Certified members.
Affiliate Company Membership is for those who are not in the direct practice of care management as defined by NAPGCM, but are supporters of the profession. Affiliate Company Members may include elder law attorneys, physicians, educators, researchers, home health agencies, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, manufacturers or distributors of durable medical equipment or other products or services related to the care of elders.
For additional information regarding the membership categories, please visit our Membership Categories page.
Why does NAPGCM need different member categories?
The profession of geriatric care management is growing and different professionals within the field have different levels of experience, education and certifications that support their expertise in geriatric care management. NAPGCM is proactively meeting the needs of the profession by creating membership categories that recognize high certification standards and professionalism while also being inclusive to allow all practitioners of geriatric care management a home within NAPGCM. The profession represents a diversity of people with different levels of experience and education, but ultimately the end goal for everyone is improved service and quality of life for the older adult and their families. NAPGCM’s member categories are designed to accomplish all these objectives.
How do I Join NAPGCM?
To join NAPGCM, please review the membership categories, you can then download and print the appropriate Membership Application. Attach the necessary documentation for the category of membership to which you are applying. On the application you may provide credit card information or you may send payment via check. Submit the application, documentation, and dues payment along with the $25 application fee to the NAPGCM National Office. Applications may be submitted by mail, fax, or email.
What is a Regional Chapter, and how do I join?
NAPGCM is divided into 9 Regional Chapters. All NAPGCM members are assigned chapter membership according to your business location when they join. If you would like to join a different chapter, or join additional chapters, you may do so by selecting the additional chapter on your membership application. Additional chapters can be added to your membership for $50.
Where can I learn more about my chapter?
Chapter information is available on the NAPGCM Website via the Regional Chapters button. Each chapter has their own website. You will find each Chapter Presidents contact information and the links to each chapter’s website on the overview page.
Where can I find a summary of the membership benefits?
You can view all the member benefits by member category using the NAPGCM’s quick view member benefits grid.
A detail of all the membership benefits can be found on the Member Benefits page.
When will the Member Logos be available for use?
As a member, you have access to many member benefits, the Member Logo being one of them. The logo is available in the member’s only pages, via the Member Logo Request Form. You must be a current member of NAPGCM to use any NAPGCM logo.
The LinkedIn and Facebook communities are mentioned as a benefit, how do I join?
After becoming a member of NAPGCM, you may join our social media communities at any time by clicking the linked logos below. If you are not currently a member, you may still become a “Fan” of NAPGCM and will begin to receive announcements and updates.
Certification FAQs
Why is NAPGCM placing so much emphasis on the differences between categories and certification standards? Aren’t we all professionals in different capacities working toward the same goal?
Yes, and like many professions, certain certification or education requirements are considered the standard of professionalism within that industry. Like attorneys or clinical healthcare professionals, a profession’s commitment to high standards begins with acknowledging established criteria related to education, experience and minimum certifications.
While NAPGCM is unique in that its mission is to be inclusive of all practitioners, including non-certified professionals, the development of industry-approved standards of professionalism will only serve to improve the entire profession of geriatric care management. This commitment to excellence is not only a beacon to consumers who are interested in qualified geriatric care managers, but also to geriatric care practitioners who plan to become Certified Geriatric Care Managers as part of their longer-term career path.
Distinct recognition of professional standards hand-in-hand with better clarified membership categories will promote higher standards while simultaneously being inclusive to all and ultimately improving the services provided to the older adult and their families.
Where do I find information on the four different certifications approved by NAPGCM?
Below is the contact information for the NAPGCM approved certifying bodies. For additional information regarding certification or re-certification please visit our Certification page.
Care Manager Certified (CMC)
National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM)
http://www.naccm.net/
Certified Case Manager (CCM)
Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC)
http://www.ccmcertification.org/
Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials
Certified Social Work Case Manager
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials
If I am having difficulty choosing the right certification, whom do I contact?
Each chapter has a “Certification Point Person” who can help you or refer you to someone on the certification committee. A list of these individuals can be found by clicking here.
Does a Certificate in Geriatric Care Management from an educational institution fulfill the NAPGCM requirement to be certified?
No, Certificates in Geriatric Care Management are not uniform in their requirements, nor do they require the same levels of education and work experience that are required by the four NAPGCM approved certifications.
What if I’ve been a geriatric care manager for a long time but don’t meet all the requirements to qualify for the Certified Geriatric Care Manager category?
How you choose to market yourself is your choice; however NAPGCM strongly encourages you to promote your membership affiliation ethically and accurately. While you would not be able to claim Certified Geriatric Care Manager membership status, you may likely fall into the Associate Geriatric Care Manager membership category that is designed specifically for practitioners who do not meet all the requirements of certified membership.
What if I do not hold one of the four sanctioned certifications that qualifies me for the Certified Geriatric Care Manager category but I meet all the education and experience requirements?
Associate Geriatric Care Manager is the membership category for you. Whether you are working toward certification or not, the Associate category allows practitioners to still contribute and benefit from NAPGCM membership.
What books are useful to use for studying for the certification exam?
The two most frequently used study books are:
- “Handbook for Geriatric Care Management” by Cathy Cress. This book is available at the NAPGCM Store at www.caremanager.org or Amazon.com.
- “Guidelines for Case Management Practice Across the Long-Term Continuum” available from Connecticut Community Care at www.ctcommunitycare.org.Each certifying body has a list of additional resources in their application manual.
When are the deadlines for submitting applications this year?
To learn more about future testing dates for CMC (Care Manager Certified) go to www.naccm.net.
To learn more about the CCM (Certified Case Manager) testing dates at www.ccmcertification.org.
NASW’s certification process is open to members of NASW and does not have an exam but will take time to gather the needed information for the certification application. You can learn more at www.socialworkers.org/credentials.
I am confused by what “supervision” means for the CMC* application.
The National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM) administers the Certified Care Manager (CMC) exam. NACCM views supervision as an ongoing process of consultation and performance appraisal for the purpose of continuously improving the quality of one’s care management practice. Professional consultation/supervision may be conducted by professional colleagues, mentors or supervisors in formal and/or informal arrangements. Activities may include face-to-face review, client satisfaction survey/analysis performed onsite, electronically or via teleconference. The content of professional consultation/supervision may include discussing care management issues, ethical issues, care plan development and care management interventions, use of clinical skills and core care manager functions.
To take the initial exam, a minimum of 2 years of paid full time supervised care management is required and proof of 50 hours/year of ongoing supervision.
NACCM does not require a specific number of hours per year of professional consultation/supervision for certification renewal.
What is the definition of supervision for the NASW certification?
C-ASWCM: For the first two years of post-MSW practice, regularly scheduled face-to-face supervision meetings should occur at a rate one hour for every 30 hours of direct client-level case management tasks (minimum of 50 hours per year). Thereafter, supervision and consultation may occur on an as-needed basis.
C-SWCM: For the first two years of post-BSW practice, regularly scheduled face-to-face supervision meetings should occur at a rate of one hour for every 15 hours of direct client-level case management tasks (minimum of 100 hours per year) . For the subsequent two years, the rate should be one hour for every 30 hours of direct case management tasks (minimum of 50 hours per year). Thereafter, supervision and consultation may occur on an as-needed basis.
http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials/applications/c-aswcm.pdf or 202-408-8600
The Certified Geriatric Care Manager level of membership includes many additional benefits.
If you would like to change your membership category to Certified Geriatric Care Manager send a copy of your certification to the NAPGCM National office. An additional fee will be required.
Continuing Education
Does NAPGCM offer Continuing Education (CE) opportunities?
Yes, NAPGCM offers Continuing Education (CE) hours at their annual spring conference, in special sessions and intensives. NAPGCM also presents a series of Clinical Webinars that provide CEs.
What types of CEs are available?
NAPGCM applies for credit hours in Social Work, Nursing, Care Management (CMC), and Case Management (CCMC). Not all events are approved for CE Hours, additional information regarding CE hours are made available for each event offered.
Events, Advertising, Sponsorship and other Opportunities
Can I advertise in your publications? Who do I talk to?
For information regarding our Sponsorship and Advertising opportunities, click here. If you have any additional questions, please contact NAPGCM at 520.881.8008 or email jwagner@napgcm.org.
I’d like to write an article. I’d like you to review my book. Who do I talk to?
For more information on articles and reviews, contact NAPGCM at 520.881.8008 or email jwagner@napgcm.org
Where can I find schedules for conferences and events?
To view NAPGCM events, please visit our Event Calendar. You may search for calendar items by category and view calendar items by posterboard, month, week, day, or as an agenda. Calendar items can all be saved to your Outlook or Google Calendar, just click the “add to calendar” button.
What educational programs does NAPGCM offer and when are they scheduled?
Among many offerings, NAPGCM hosts one annual conference each spring, 8 educational webinars, and 2 teleconference series each year. Webinars include business and clinical topics (4 of each). Continuing education hours are provided for clinical webinars. For event schedules and pricing please visit the Events Calendar.
Who can attend NAPGCM Events?
NAPGCM Events are open to anyone interested in learning more about professional geriatric care management, unless specified. For schedules and pricing please visit the Events Calendar.
Does NAPGCM offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities at your events?
A full array of advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available for the NAPGCM annual conference. Information can be found on our Sponsorship Opportunities page. You may also contact NAPGCM at 520.881.8008 or email kboothroyd@napgcm.org.
What is the speaker acceptance process for the annual conference?
A Call for Speaker Proposals is made approximately 6 months before a conference. Information and Proposal Forms are placed on our event calendar. For more information regarding proposals, please email meetings@napgcm.org. Proposals are usually geared to the following areas: Clinical, Business, Ethics/Legal.
Who should I contact about NAPGCM Chapter events?
Information about NAPGCM Chapter events is available on each chapter’s website, as well as the events calendar on the National website. To view events on the chapter websites, please visit the Regional Chapters page, and select a chapter. If you would like to see events on the National event calendar, please visit the Events Calendar.
How do I learn what has been written about geriatric care management?
To read articles related to NAPGCM, its members, or geriatric care management, please visit our Newsroom. The Newsroom button can be found on the Homepage.