PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning

PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC FPX 3002 Developing a Psychology Perspective

Prof. Name:

Date

Directions: Respond to the following questions in preparation for completing the Career Planning Worksheet.

1. What is your career goal? (If you don’t have a specific goal, this can be a general statement to begin your research.)

My career goal is to work as a Case Manager for a Health Plan. Case managers, also known as case workers, interview clients, make referrals to ensure appropriate services are provided, and work with clients until they improve or no longer need services.

1. Find a job opening in your state that aligns with your goal and respond to these questions:

a. Is a college degree required? If yes, what degree?
b. Is a state license required? If yes, what license?
c. What skills or knowledge does the job require?
d. What experience does the job require?
e. Does the salary meet your needs?

a. A degree is required for this role. It can be in various fields such as social services, behavioral sciences, or healthcare.
b. A state license is not required, but there are certifications, such as Florida 701B Certified, Certified Case Manager, or Certified Behavioral Case Manager, that can be obtained later to specialize.
c. Relevant experience in the Managed Care Field.
d. The job requires two years of experience in psychology, sociology, gerontology, or any related social services field.
e. Yes, the average salary for this position can start at $60,000 per year or more.

1. If a license is required for the job, find the requirements for licensure on your state’s Department of Licensing website and respond to these questions:

PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning

a. Does the license require a degree? If yes, what degree?
b. Does the license require the degree to be from a school with specific accreditation? If yes, what accreditation?
c. Does the license require passing a test(s)? If yes, what test(s)?
d. Does the license require an internship or experience? If yes, what are those requirements?

a. The licensing requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, which can be in social work, psychology, sociology, healthcare administration, or any related field.
b. No, the licensing does not require the degree to be from a school with specific accreditation.
c. Depending on the certification, it may require passing the 701B test, Certified Case Manager Examination, or Certified Behavioral Case Manager Examinations.

1. If a graduate degree is required for this job, look at a graduate program offering that degree and respond to these questions:

a. Do they require a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) to apply? If yes, what is the GPA?
b. Does the program require you to take a test (e.g., GRE) to apply? If yes, what test?
c. Does the program require specific coursework before entry? If yes, what courses?
d. Does the program require completing an internship or practicum? If yes, what are the requirements?

A graduate degree is not required for this job role.

1. Browse Capella’s course catalog and identify courses that can help you reach your goal.

PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning

PSYC-FPX4330 – Psychopharmacology: How Drugs Work – This course can enhance my understanding of medications and their effects on the brain, which will help me understand future clients’ or patients’ mental health.

1. Find an article or website that discusses the future growth or changes in this career area.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 12% growth in employment (much faster than average) for social and community service managers between 2021 and 2031.
(https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/become-a-case-manager/)

Next, complete the Career Planning Worksheet. Use the spaces below to respond to the questions about your career goal.

Career Goal: Write a sentence stating your career goal based on awareness of the projected job market.

Based on the data provided, I am eager to pursue career opportunities that will become available once I graduate with my bachelor’s degree. Community and social services are fields that will always need case workers to assist clients with their health or daily living.

Job Market: Write a paragraph describing whether this job will continue to be in demand and what changes are predicted. Cite your credible source of information.

The demand for case managers is expected to grow in the US as the country’s population ages. Although the BLS doesn’t provide specific data on the case management industry, it does cover the profession of social service managers. Between 2021 and 2031, the agency projects a 12% increase in employment in this field. Case managers typically earn around $44,600 annually, but some, such as clinical case managers, earn around $77,000 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2019).

Reference: Include the author, date, and URL for your credible source of information, and identify the credibility criteria used to establish this as a credible source.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm

PSYC FPX 3002 Assessment 4 Career Planning

Education Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining your plan to obtain the education needed to reach your career goal. Include requirements for licensure, if any.

My plan is to complete my degree in psychology. Upon graduating from this program, I will have the necessary knowledge to evaluate and understand the mental health system. Once I have my degree, I will pursue certification as a case manager in my state, which includes working with departments such as the Department of Elder Affairs. I currently work with the geriatric population and plan to focus on working as a Home Health or Social Services Case Manager. I will study for the 701B Certification Assessment and strive to pass it.

Skills Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining how you plan to acquire the skills needed to reach your career goal. Consider soft skills (traits that make you a good worker) and hard skills (abilities you learn in school or on the job) in your description.

One of the most important qualities for a case manager is empathy, as they often interact with individuals going through difficult situations. In addition to empathy, case managers need strong communication skills and organizational abilities. I currently work with the geriatric population and consider myself patient and understanding, while also knowing when to set boundaries with the clients I serve.

Experience Plan: Write a paragraph or more outlining how you plan to gain the experience needed to reach your career goal.

Working in social services within both a medical group and a health plan has allowed me to work with both younger and older populations. I have experience in managing care, clinical authorizations, and ensuring patients/clients receive the necessary care. This experience has provided me with a solid foundation for managing an extensive caseload as a case worker. I plan to gain more experience in this field within my current company and by shadowing both clinical and non-clinical case managers.

Course Plan: List courses at Capella that will help you reach your career goal. For each course, write a sentence explaining how it will help you reach your goal.

PSYC-FPX4330 – Psychopharmacology: How Drugs Work – This course will help me understand the effects of medications on the brain, which will be beneficial in understanding the mental health of future clients/patients.
PSYC-FPX3540 – Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity – This course explores cultural diversity, including its relation to social issues such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion, and the effects of prejudice and discrimination on individuals. It will help me understand the diverse population I aim to work with.

Resources: Write a paragraph or more describing resources you can use to reach your career goal.

There are numerous resources available for a career in case management. Some resources I have been utilizing include state certification websites, career outlook reports, job statistics, and on-the-job training. My work experience has also been instrumental in setting me on the path for a career in this specific field.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2019). Occupational outlook handbook, social and community service managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm

Forbes. (2023). How to become a case manager. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/become-a-case-manager/