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Counselor/case manager vs social work case manager

The differences between counselor/case managers and social work case managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a counselor/case manager and a social work case manager. Additionally, a social work case manager has an average salary of $45,321, 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 social work case manager are social work, patients, and social services.

Counselor/case manager vs social work case manager overview

Counselor/Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Yearly salary$39,562$45,321
Hourly rate$19.02$21.79
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs88,28549,793
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

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 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.

Counselor/case manager vs social work case manager salary

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

Counselor/Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Average salary$39,562$45,321
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $47,000Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COSan Leandro, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyParkland HospitalTenet Healthcare
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between counselor/case manager and social work case manager education

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

Counselor/Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Counselor/case manager vs social work case manager demographics

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

Counselor/Case ManagerSocial Work Case Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 19.4% Female, 80.6%
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, 12.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between counselor/case manager and social work 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.

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

Counselor/case manager vs social work 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 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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