Administrative director, behavioral health services vs medical director

The differences between administrative directors, behavioral health services and medical 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 medical director. Additionally, a medical director has an average salary of $230,317, 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 medical director are patients, medical care, and medical services.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs medical director overview

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Medical Director
Yearly salary	$90,125	$230,317
Hourly rate	$43.33	$110.73
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	154,771	75,810
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
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 medical director do?

A medical director is responsible for handling the overall supervision of different medical departments, managing the coordination between medical teams to ensure smooth operations and achieve high-quality care services for the patients. Medical directors enforce strict guidelines and safety measures for everyone's adherence. They also implement medical care programs, recruit medical staff, inspect the adequacy of medical equipment, respond to patient's inquiries and concerns, and oversee the facilities' procedures. A medical director manages the budget of the department, allocating equal resources to address every need.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs medical director salary

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Medical Director
Average salary	$90,125	$230,317
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $135,000	Between $143,000 And $369,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	UnitedHealth Group
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

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

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Medical Director
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common major	Nursing	Medicine
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs medical director demographics

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Medical Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between administrative director, behavioral health services and medical 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.

Medical director example responsibilities.

Manage OPD for acute injuries.
Manage patients with diabetes, hypertension and other medical problems.
Manage patients living with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other sexually transmit infections.
Manage hypertension and diabetes in elderly patients
Conduct psychiatry evaluations and treatment, manage co-occurring disorders.
Manage budget planning, forecasting and accruals for improve financial management.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs medical 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 medical director skills

Patients, 12%
Medical Care, 7%
Medical Services, 6%
Utilization Review, 5%
Appeals, 5%
Internal Medicine, 4%

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Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services
Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services vs Medical Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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