Administrative director, behavioral health services vs clinical director

The differences between administrative directors, behavioral health services and clinical directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an administrative director, behavioral health services and a clinical director. Additionally, a clinical director has an average salary of $96,497, which is higher than the $90,125 average annual salary of an administrative director, behavioral health services.

The top three skills for an administrative director, behavioral health services include patients, social work and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical director are patients, patient care, and physical therapy.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs clinical director overview

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Clinical Director
Yearly salary	$90,125	$96,497
Hourly rate	$43.33	$46.39
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	154,771	83,232
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does an administrative director, behavioral health services do?

An administrative director of behavioral health monitors the emotions and behavior of patients undergoing mental health treatment. The director's job is to make sure all patients' treatment plans are carried out, which primarily entails ensuring the proper distribution of medication and check-ups. They are also responsible for supervising the handling of medical records and prescriptions.

What does a clinical director do?

A clinical director is a managing professional who manages the work of healthcare providers to ensure quality patient care is achieved. Clinical directors are responsible for organizational tasks such as adjusting staff schedules, explaining insurance benefits to the patients, and managing financial reports. They can work either in small clinics with a smaller workforce or larger hospitals with multiple departments. Clinical directors may also assist in the hiring process of healthcare providers and should establish a positive work environment.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs clinical director salary

Administrative directors, behavioral health services and clinical directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Clinical Director
Average salary	$90,125	$96,497
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $135,000	Between $63,000 And $145,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	Rhode Island
Best paying company	-	Sutro Biopharma
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between administrative director, behavioral health services and clinical director education

There are a few differences between an administrative director, behavioral health services and a clinical director in terms of educational background:

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Clinical Director
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs clinical director demographics

Here are the differences between administrative directors, behavioral health services' and clinical directors' demographics:

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Clinical Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 35.2% Female, 64.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between administrative director, behavioral health services and clinical director duties and responsibilities

Administrative director, behavioral health services example responsibilities.

Utilize motivational interviewing tools with staff and patients for engagement to accomplish goals.
Initiate sentinel system allowing company to proactively manage reimbursement reductions impose by state Medicaid programs.
Well inform in MDS, PPS, and CMS rules and regulations.
Maintain program compliance with CMS, DOH and OMH regulatory standards.
Initiate staff education to increase knowledge of nursing license and non-licens staff working knowledge of the care of psychiatric patients.
Perform human resource generalist duties inclusive of compensation, incentive plans, payroll activity, personnel files, benefits, etc.

Clinical director example responsibilities.

Develop distinctive ambulatory strategies to achieve and sustain competitive healthcare advantage.
Manage and assist with data collection and input for MDS.
Manage quality of documentation through education and electronic review of clinical processes utilizing HCHB EMR.
Manage front office, marketing, and communication -demonstrated/supervise exercises for patients -Developed instructional packets for home exercise programs
Manage projects and ambulatory system initiatives, and collaborate with system leadership teams to ensure EMR alignment with all regulatory requirements.
Experience in GCP, FDA audits, and regulatory guidance review and implementation.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs clinical director skills

Common administrative director, behavioral health services skills

Patients, 17%
Social Work, 13%
Patient Care, 11%
Behavioral Health, 8%
Clinical Supervision, 3%
Autism, 3%

Common clinical director skills

Patients, 18%
Patient Care, 11%
Physical Therapy, 5%
Social Work, 4%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Clinical Services, 3%

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Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services
Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services vs Clinical Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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