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Case manager vs social work case manager

The differences between case managers and social work case managers 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 social work case manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a social work case manager has an average salary of $45,321, 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 social work case manager are social work, patients, and social services.

Case manager vs social work case manager overview

Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Yearly salary$43,118$45,321
Hourly rate$20.73$21.79
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs84,95949,793
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4543
Years of experience412

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 social work case manager do?

A Social Work Case Manager counsels groups or individuals in dealing with chronic illness, loss of a loved one, or substance abuse. They evaluate the needs of each individual client and maintain detailed records of their progress in the healing process.

Case manager vs social work case manager salary

Case managers and social work case managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Average salary$43,118$45,321
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $61,000Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Leandro, CA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireCalifornia
Best paying companyWellpathTenet Healthcare
Best paying industryInsuranceHealth Care

Differences between case manager and social work case manager education

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

Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Case manager vs social work case manager demographics

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

Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 23.4% Female, 76.6%Male, 19.4% Female, 80.6%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage15%11%

Differences between case manager and social work case manager 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

Social work case manager example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partners including public and private agencies to achieve permanency for children.
  • Facilitate resource management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies that help patients remain safe and independent in their home environment.
  • Review inpatient hospital medical records using InterQual criteria to determine that patient admission meet quality and utilization standards.
  • Adhere to rules and regulations pertinent to inpatient rehabilitation as defined by Medicare/Medicaid and other licensing and accrediting organizations.
  • Coordinate and schedule in home physician visits and transportation arrangements for patients to receive medical services in hospitals and clinics.
  • Respond to high volume telephone and walk-in inquiries regarding long-term placement, government entitlements, rehabilitation, and services provide.
  • Show more

Case manager vs social work case manager skills

Common case manager skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
Common social work case manager skills
  • Social Work, 38%
  • Patients, 20%
  • Social Services, 5%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Acute Care, 4%
  • Patient Care, 3%

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