While working toward her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, Jhovana Preciado wondered, “How can I make myself stand out?” She found the answer in Wilmington University’s Interdisciplinary Care Management Certificate.
“I don’t think many people realize how certificates play an important role when you graduate,” she says. “This one’s specially designed for management, so it’s preparing you for that future management role, and you can apply it to different fields.”
The 18-credit, 100% online undergraduate certificate from the College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences teaches in-demand skills for modern health care management, a key part of today’s team-based, patient-centered approach. Coursework focuses on health care information technologies, quality measures, reimbursement processes, and ethical and legal issues.
“This certificate offers an entry-level opportunity in patient navigation for students new to health care while also enhancing the skill sets of existing health care professionals to create a path to transition into a new role in care management,” says Dr. Angela Herman, Health Sciences program chair.
When health professionals from different disciplines collaborate, they can reduce or prevent fragmented care and poor outcomes. The Interdisciplinary Care Management Certificate equips students to work in various settings, including acute care facilities, outpatient clinics, private practices, health insurance agencies and workers’ compensation organizations.
“Given the current state of staffing shortages in health care and the projected vacancy rates for the next five to 10 years, it will be critical that clinicians truly work top of license and allow well-prepared administrative professionals to handle all non-clinical responsibilities,” says Patricia Resnik, an adjunct professor and president of the board of directors at the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), who helped develop the certificate.
“I don’t think many people realize how certificates play an important role when you graduate.”
— Jhovana Preciado
Salaries for board-certified case managers have increased in recent years — outpacing the median pay for registered nurses and social workers — which makes this certificate valuable for students starting their careers as well as those currently working as RNs, social workers, medical assistants or other health professionals.
“I feel like health is a very competitive field. That certificate really pushes you to the top of the list,” says Preciado, who lives in Oxford, Pennsylvania. “It definitely helps when you do interviews. It helps you stand out on your resume, and it helps you stand out from your peers.”
Using WilmU’s Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE™, she applied Dual-Credits to her Health Sciences degree and Interdisciplinary Care Management Certificate, saving time and money. This spring, she’ll graduate with another WilmU credential: an MBA with a concentration in Business Analytics.
“I love it,” Preciado says, describing Wilmington University as she looks forward to an exciting, rewarding future.
Learn how to coordinate care across the continuum with an Interdisciplinary Care Management Certificate from Wilmington University’s College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences.
