Administrative director, behavioral health services vs nursing director

The differences between administrative directors, behavioral health services and nursing 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 nursing director. Additionally, an administrative director, behavioral health services has an average salary of $90,125, which is higher than the $87,643 average annual salary of a nursing director.

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

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs nursing director overview

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Nursing Director
Yearly salary	$90,125	$87,643
Hourly rate	$43.33	$42.14
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	154,771	76,956
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Associate Degree, 44%
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 nursing director do?

A nursing director's role is to oversee and evaluate all nurse staff in a hospital or organization, ensuring their efficiency at providing care towards patients. A nursing director's responsibilities mainly revolve around administrative tasks such as coordinating with physicians and other consultants, producing reports, conducting assessments, managing the budget and expenditures, and resolving issues. Furthermore, a nursing director must keep and maintain accurate records, ensuring all procedures adhere to the highest health standards and aligns with the hospital's policies and regulations.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs nursing director salary

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Nursing Director
Average salary	$90,125	$87,643
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $135,000	Between $64,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Oculus
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

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

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Nursing Director
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Associate Degree, 44%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs nursing director demographics

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Nursing Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 11.6% Female, 88.4%
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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between administrative director, behavioral health services and nursing 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.

Nursing director example responsibilities.

Manage FTE'S of the units.
Manage FTE numbers by following staffing grids.
Lead in the implementation of whole house telemetry.
Manage and provide inpatient nursing care for all aspects of general surgery.
Manage and coordinate all aspects of nursing and ancillary services for successful operation of the SNF.
Complete comprehensive assessments for all LTC residents which include managing falls, pain, skin integrity, and medications.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs nursing 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 nursing director skills

Patients, 16%
Term Care, 8%
Home Health, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Infection Control, 5%

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Executive Management Industry
Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services
Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services vs Nursing Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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