Basic Care Manager Training

Basic Training

Collaborative Care Model and Role of the Care Manager

1. Overview (Evidence Base, Guiding Principles, Team Structure, Main Tasks)

This training provides an overview of the collaborative care model and how the role of the care manager is part of the care team. The training is reviews the impact data of the collaborative care model, its core principles, and the division of tasks among different team members

See overview materials

2. Patient Registry/Tracking

This training reviews what a patient registry is, its functionality in tracking patients’ longitudinal symptoms, and how to effectively use it as a patient-facing tool that communicates screening results to patients.

See patient registry/tracking materials

3. Tips for Working on an Interdisciplinary Team

Working as a member of a large care team can be a learning process. This training provides suggestions of how to best integrate the care manager role into an interdisciplinary team and how to divide tasks among different roles within the team.

See tips for working on an interdisciplinary team

4. Weekly team meetings

Care managers are required to participate in weekly team meetings with an obstetric provider and a supervising psychiatrist. This training reviews the structure of those meetings and provides helpful suggestions on how to effectively present patient cases.

See guidance for weekly team meetings
See tip sheet for reporting to psychiatrist

5. Medication Management- Role of the Care Manager

One of the Care Manager's key roles is to support obstetric providers in prescribing psychiatric medications using treatment algorithms specifically designed for the perinatal period. This training offers an overview of medication use in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), guidance on supporting obstetric providers, and strategies for providing effective psychoeducation to patients.

See role of the care manager in medication management

Care Manager Tasks- Day-to-Day

1. Enrollment

This training reviews the basics of enrolling new patients in the collaborative care model.

See enrollment materials

2. Assessment and Treatment Planning 

This training reviews the basics of conducting assessments and creating treatment plans for patients in the collaborative care model.

See assessment and treatment planning materials

3. Documentation

This training reviews considerations for concise, sensitive, and effective documentation for Care Managers.

See documentation materials

4. Psychotherapy

This training reviews the appropriate

See psychotherapy and clinical skills materials

Perinatal Mental Health Training

1. Mental Health 101

This training reviews mental health conditions and symptoms that are common during pregnancy and postpartum and provides tips on how to talk about them with patients.

See mental health 101 materials

2. Mental Health Screening

This training reviews common mental health screening tools, their importance, how to interpret scores, and how to effectively discuss v results with patients.

See mental health screening materials

3. Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is very common during pregnancy and postpartum. This training provides a deeper look into assessment and treatment of MDD during the perinatal period.

See major depressive disorder materials

4. Anxiety

Anxiety is very common during pregnancy and postpartum. This training provides a deeper look into assessment and treatment of anxiety during the perinatal period.

See anxiety materials

5. Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can present differently during pregnancy and postpartum. This training provides a deeper look into diagnosis, treatment, and safety planning during the perinatal period.

See bipolar disorder materials

6. Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious condition that poses significant risks to the patient and others. This training provides a deeper look into its diagnosis, treatment options, and essential safety planning strategies during the perinatal period.

See postpartum psychosis materials

7. Suicidality in the Perinatal Period

This training reviews unique considerations for risk and protective factors, assessment, safety planning, treatment, and prevention during the perinatal period.

See suicidality in the perinatal period materials

8. Sleep and Mental Health

Sleep and mental health are interrelated, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. This training reviews the impact that sleep has on mental wellness and provides tips around how to support parents to achieve healthy sleep habits.

See sleep and mental health materials

9. Breastfeeding, Mental Health, and Medication

This training explores connections between mental health and breastfeeding and provides helpful information about the use of psychiatric medications for breastfeeding individuals.

See breastfeeding, mental health, and medication materials

10. OB 101 (Overview of Perinatal Care, Pregnancy Loss)

Every pregnancy journey is unique. This training provides a high-level overview of pregnancy at each trimester and also provides guidance on how to best support families who experience a pregnancy loss.

See OB 101 materials

Cultural Sensitivity, Advocacy, and Trauma-Informed Care

1. Multi-Cultural Sensitivity

Families' experiences with medical teams and obstetric outcomes are deeply influenced by implicit bias and systemic inequalities. This training equips care managers with cultural insights and practical strategies to deliver inclusive, culturally sensitive care that supports equitable outcomes for all patients.

See Multi-Cultural Sensitivity materials

2. Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma can significantly impact individuals’ health, behavior, and engagement with care, especially during the perinatal period. This training introduces care managers to the principles of trauma-informed care, emphasizing the importance of recognizing trauma, creating a safe and supportive environment, and fostering resilience while avoiding re-traumatization.

See trauma-informed care materials

3. Informed Consent, Confidentiality, and Mandated Reporting

Understanding informed consent, confidentiality, and mandated reporting is essential for care managers to provide ethical, transparent, and patient-centered care. This training emphasizes the importance of advocacy and clear communication while navigating these legal and ethical responsibilities. Learn how to uphold patient trust, ensure compliance, and maintain a compassionate approach in sensitive situations..

See informed consent, confidentiality and mandated reporting materials materials

4. Doula Services

Doula services offer many beneficial outcomes to patients during pregnancy, labor, birth, loss, and postpartum. This training provides care managers with important information on doula services, including what doula's do, their impact on addressing racial disparities, and how care managers can help increase doula access for patients through advocacy.

See doula services materials