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Counselor/case manager vs mental health case manager

The differences between counselor/case managers and mental health case managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a counselor/case manager, becoming a mental health case manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health case manager has an average salary of $42,574, which is higher than the $39,562 average annual salary of a counselor/case manager.

The top three skills for a counselor/case manager include crisis intervention, patients and social work. The most important skills for a mental health case manager are mental health, social work, and patients.

Counselor/case manager vs mental health case manager overview

Counselor/Case ManagerMental Health Case Manager
Yearly salary$39,562$42,574
Hourly rate$19.02$20.47
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs88,285128,509
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4345
Years of experience124

What does a counselor/case manager do?

A Counselor provides advice for coping with everyday situations, relationships, health challenges, or disabilities of patients. Case Managers develop, monitor, and evaluate treatment plans and the progress of patients within the social service departments, healthcare companies, hospital networks, etc.

What does a mental health case manager do?

A Mental Health Care Manager supervises the development and implementation of care plans for clients. They regularly check on their clients and make recommendations for improving clients health care needs.

Counselor/case manager vs mental health case manager salary

Counselor/case managers and mental health case managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counselor/Case ManagerMental Health Case Manager
Average salary$39,562$42,574
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $47,000Between $33,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COOakland, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyParkland HospitalWashington State University
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between counselor/case manager and mental health case manager education

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

Counselor/Case ManagerMental Health Case Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Counselor/case manager vs mental health case manager demographics

Here are the differences between counselor/case managers' and mental health case managers' demographics:

Counselor/Case ManagerMental Health Case Manager
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%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 counselor/case manager and mental health case manager duties and responsibilities

Counselor/case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
  • Provide individual therapy for addict patients with depression, bipolar, anxiety, attention deficit, antisocial/borderline/obsessive compulsive/narcissistic tendencies.
  • Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and assist patients with updating their goals according to their progress.
  • Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
  • Prepare documentation for HOPWA applications.

Mental health case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
  • Coordinate, collaborate, and refer to various community agencies to assist in meeting consumer's needs and maximizing their rehabilitation.
  • Perform intensive early intervention behavior therapy for children diagnose on the autism spectrum disorder using the principles of apply behavior analysis.
  • Organize and participate in the development, review and evaluation of IFSP meeting.
  • Assist the individual to access activities, supports and services identify in the ISP.
  • Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, DCF and attorneys as needed.
  • Show more

Counselor/case manager vs mental health case manager skills

Common counselor/case manager skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 13%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Intake Assessments, 6%
  • Substance Abuse Issues, 6%
Common mental health case manager skills
  • Mental Health, 15%
  • Social Work, 14%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Management Services, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%

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