Clinical program manager vs patient care manager

The differences between clinical program managers and patient care managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a clinical program manager and a patient care manager. Additionally, a clinical program manager has an average salary of $86,048, which is higher than the $65,369 average annual salary of a patient care manager.

The top three skills for a clinical program manager include patients, clinical program and clinical operations. The most important skills for a patient care manager are home health, patients, and quality care.

Clinical program manager vs patient care manager overview

	Clinical Program Manager	Patient Care Manager
Yearly salary	$86,048	$65,369
Hourly rate	$41.37	$31.43
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	159,239	123,652
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a clinical program manager do?

A clinical program manager is responsible for overseeing clinical trials and procedures, ensuring that the medical operations adhere to the strict safety protocols and internal guidelines of the institution. Clinical program managers address the concerns and discrepancies during the trials and provide recommendations to improve research program procedures and adjust initial resolution plans as needed. They also identify effective sample collection processes, data integration techniques, and data management reports. A clinical program manager inspects the efficiency of laboratory tools and equipment, managing its efficiency to support scientific and medical operations accurately.

What does a patient care manager do?

Patient care managers are executives who are in charge of supervising a clinical team. The managers take responsibility for directing patient care within an organization. Also called health care managers, they protect every patient's safety and health in a clinical setting. They interact with the healthcare team members to maintain open communication. It is also part of their duties to supervise the daily operations in the clinical care units. Managing clinical budgets and maintaining quality health services are also their responsibilities.

Clinical program manager vs patient care manager salary

Clinical program managers and patient care managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Program Manager	Patient Care Manager
Average salary	$86,048	$65,369
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $126,000	Between $36,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	San Mateo, CA	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Amgen	Accenture
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between clinical program manager and patient care manager education

There are a few differences between a clinical program manager and a patient care manager in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Program Manager	Patient Care Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Pennsylvania

Clinical program manager vs patient care manager demographics

Here are the differences between clinical program managers' and patient care managers' demographics:

	Clinical Program Manager	Patient Care Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between clinical program manager and patient care manager duties and responsibilities

Clinical program manager example responsibilities.

Manage projects and ambulatory system initiatives, and collaborate with system leadership teams to ensure EMR alignment with all regulatory requirements.
Serve as clinical oncology nurse leader to facilitate day-to-day clinical management and care coordination of patients seen regional cancer care programs.
Supervise CRAs at co-monitoring visits ensuring quality.
Advance familiarity in Medicaid require documentation and billing.
Provide transportation and assistance with activities of daily living which focuse on rehabilitation.
Provide direct clinical and vocational rehabilitation services to adults with mental illness, specializing in solution focuse therapy.

Patient care manager example responsibilities.

Manage complicated cases involving serious injuries, medical evacuations, cruise ship disembarkation, and repatriation of remains with compassion.
Direct oversight of all case management and education relate to chronic disease and primary care management.
Utilize resources such as financial and pharmacy assistance for uninsure patients to receive professional medical care upon discharge.
Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions using keen assessment skills and redirecting to PCP's office when appropriate.
Ensure compliance both with HIPAA and CMS, to include all audits and enrollments via Medicare.
Plant and maintain flower beds such as mulching, fertilizing, watering, mowing, and pruning.

Clinical program manager vs patient care manager skills

Common clinical program manager skills

Patients, 14%
Clinical Program, 12%
Clinical Operations, 9%
Patient Care, 7%
Social Work, 7%
Program Development, 4%

Common patient care manager skills

Home Health, 15%
Patients, 12%
Quality Care, 8%
Social Work, 7%
Community Resources, 4%
Substance Abuse, 4%

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Clinical Program Manager
Clinical Program Manager vs Patient Care Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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