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Case manager internship vs mental health specialist

The differences between case manager interns and mental health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a case manager internship, becoming a mental health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a case manager internship has an average salary of $54,026, which is higher than the $47,321 average annual salary of a mental health specialist.

The top three skills for a case manager internship include intake assessments, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.

Case manager internship vs mental health specialist overview

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Specialist
Yearly salary$54,026$47,321
Hourly rate$25.97$22.75
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs96,904131,449
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4345
Years of experience124

What does a case manager internship do?

A Case Management Intern helps draft case studies, perform preliminary client assessments, and create summaries and recommendations. They work alongside licensed social workers in a company's HR department. Interns are responsible for contacting organizations and welfare services, orienting clients in potential benefit claims, and bringing them to government programs. Social work is an intensive interpersonal job, and people who get in these positions have degrees in line with this work.

What does a mental health specialist do?

A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.

Case manager internship vs mental health specialist salary

Case manager interns and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Specialist
Average salary$54,026$47,321
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $69,000Between $31,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between case manager internship and mental health specialist education

There are a few differences between a case manager internship and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Case manager internship vs mental health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between case manager interns' and mental health specialists' demographics:

Case Manager InternshipMental Health Specialist
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 20.4% Female, 79.6%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between case manager internship and mental health specialist duties and responsibilities

Case manager internship example responsibilities.

  • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
  • Grant access to electronic medical record databases to process utilization reviews in a timely and accurate manner while remaining HIPAA compliant.
  • Work closely with paraprofessionals and clinical/professional staff to maintain communication and provide feedback, standardize procedure and expedite PCP implementation.

Mental health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Assist and encourage patients with ADL's including feeding, ambulating, and hygiene to promote patient care.
  • Utilize rehabilitation principles to support individuals, families and communities in developing effective strategies to improve client mental health functioning.
  • Provide psychological care to patients in an in-patient psych unit, including facilitating group activities, crisis intervention, implementing therapeutic approaches
  • Meet physical requirements to complete SAMA and CPR training.
  • Provide kindness and compassion to the deceased and their families.
  • Show more

Case manager internship vs mental health specialist skills

Common case manager internship skills
  • Intake Assessments, 13%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Child Abuse, 5%
Common mental health specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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