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Case manager vs hospital social worker

The differences between case managers and hospital social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a case manager, becoming a hospital social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a hospital social worker has an average salary of $54,774, which is higher than the $43,118 average annual salary of a case manager.

The top three skills for a case manager include social work, patients and community resources. The most important skills for a hospital social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Case manager vs hospital social worker overview

Case ManagerHospital Social Worker
Yearly salary$43,118$54,774
Hourly rate$20.73$26.33
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs84,959105,520
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4545
Years of experience42

What does a case manager do?

A case manager is responsible for giving advice, handling plans for the client's recovery, and connecting with other human service professionals to ask for further options and recommendations for the client's concerns. Case managers should have excellent communication and listening skills to evaluate the client's needs, ensuring that they will have the utmost care and safety through efficient advocacy. A case manager should be able to provide a reliable support system for the client and monitor progress to achieve wellness and guarantee satisfaction.

What does a hospital social worker do?

The job of a hospital social worker is one that constantly puts them in the limelight. They perform duties to help patients as they navigate the process of being sick and hospitalized. They assist patients in dealing with the effects of hospitalization. They function as the middleman between patients and the hospital staff. They must also connect patients to much-needed services and assist with coordinating insurance reimbursements.

Case manager vs hospital social worker salary

Case managers and hospital social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case ManagerHospital Social Worker
Average salary$43,118$54,774
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $61,000Between $38,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireAlaska
Best paying companyWellpathMedical Billing
Best paying industryInsuranceHealth Care

Differences between case manager and hospital social worker education

There are a few differences between a case manager and a hospital social worker in terms of educational background:

Case ManagerHospital Social Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Case manager vs hospital social worker demographics

Here are the differences between case managers' and hospital social workers' demographics:

Case ManagerHospital Social Worker
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 23.4% Female, 76.6%Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%13%

Differences between case manager and hospital social worker duties and responsibilities

Case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage all programs operations in accordance with HRA and industry regulations, agency policies and HIPAA guidelines.
  • Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
  • Provide clients support with basic ADL's (shopping, payee services, budgets, managing and attending appointments).
  • Practice cognitive behavioral, DBT, motivational enhancement and structural family therapy.
  • Practice excellent customer service and build meaningful, professional relationships with families and patients.
  • Facilitate vocational rehabilitation and relate community services.
  • Show more

Hospital social worker example responsibilities.

  • Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
  • Provide individual therapy, case management, and insurance coverage reviews for individuals undergoing short-term rehabilitation.
  • Provide orientation, support and information to patients and their families to facilitate active involvement in the rehabilitation environment.
  • Perform assessments/social history upon admission to better understand the patient's needs and personal circumstances as they relate to their rehabilitation.
  • Coordinate care with community providers for follow up if patient are discharged, prepare documentation for admission to inpatient psychiatry unit.
  • Analyze psychological / psycho-social evaluations, IEP's, and medical histories within a referral packet to determine eligibility.

Case manager vs hospital social worker skills

Common case manager skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
Common hospital social worker skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Patients, 21%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • MSW, 6%
  • Behavioral Health, 5%
  • Acute Care, 4%

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