Administrative director, behavioral health services vs unit director

The differences between administrative directors, behavioral health services and unit 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 unit director. Additionally, an administrative director, behavioral health services has an average salary of $90,125, which is higher than the $74,346 average annual salary of a unit 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 unit director are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs unit director overview

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Unit Director
Yearly salary	$90,125	$74,346
Hourly rate	$43.33	$35.74
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	154,771	41,585
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 unit director do?

A unit director is a management professional who is responsible for directing and managing a group of medical professionals in an organization. This director must manage the daily clinical and administrative duties for those professionals involved in the mental health hospitalization programs. The director must assist in recruiting healthcare professionals to maximize the branch and margin profits of the medical establishment. This director should also attend meetings with the OCFS program to discuss the performance and outcome measures of the program.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs unit director salary

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Unit Director
Average salary	$90,125	$74,346
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $135,000	Between $42,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City	-	Fairfield, CT
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Palo Alto Networks
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

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

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Unit Director
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs unit director demographics

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

	Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services	Unit Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 46.0% Female, 54.0%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between administrative director, behavioral health services and unit 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.

Unit director example responsibilities.

Prepare and manage payroll and purchasing, which include balancing of accounts within budgetary limits; establish daily interaction with clients.
Manage operational organizing of stock and equipment, order supplies and oversee building maintenance, cleanliness and security.
Provide case management services to residents in the Alzheimer's unit.
Migrate all operations to a new ERP and retail system with a successful implementation.
Develop and implement a program which assure quality of life for mid- stage Alzheimer's residents.
Oversee labor, as well as, payroll, purchases, complete work orders, and operating supplies.

Administrative director, behavioral health services vs unit 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 unit director skills

Patients, 23%
Patient Care, 21%
Customer Service, 14%
Cleanliness, 7%
Staff Development, 6%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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