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Crisis worker vs case manager

The differences between crisis workers and case managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a crisis worker and a case manager. Additionally, a case manager has an average salary of $43,118, which is higher than the $33,805 average annual salary of a crisis worker.

The top three skills for a crisis worker include patients, social work and mental health crisis. The most important skills for a case manager are social work, patients, and community resources.

Crisis worker vs case manager overview

Crisis WorkerCase Manager
Yearly salary$33,805$43,118
Hourly rate$16.25$20.73
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs99,20184,959
Job satisfaction44.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does a crisis worker do?

A crisis worker is a mental health professional specializing in providing counseling and support services to individuals under emotional distress often caused by mental and behavioral issues, conducting interventions as needed. They are usually assigned in institutions or medical facilities, sometimes working for crisis hotlines where they must answer phone calls from clients, remain calm and rational during conversations, offer advice, and refer them to other support agencies to prevent them from taking drastic measures. A crisis worker engages with clients of all ages, requiring them to be proactive at all times.

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.

Crisis worker vs case manager salary

Crisis workers and case managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Crisis WorkerCase Manager
Average salary$33,805$43,118
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $49,000Between $30,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityPortland, MEWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Hampshire
Best paying companyNorthwestern MedicineWellpath
Best paying industryHospitalityInsurance

Differences between crisis worker and case manager education

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

Crisis WorkerCase Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Crisis worker vs case manager demographics

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

Crisis WorkerCase Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 25.4% Female, 74.6%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
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, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between crisis worker and case manager duties and responsibilities

Crisis worker example responsibilities.

  • Find placements for patients needing inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, and provide community referrals to those requiring lower levels of care.
  • Conduct psychiatric screenings in hospital settings to determine if patients meet the criteria for involuntary/voluntary commitment as mandated by state laws.
  • Coordinate care with community providers for follow up if patient are discharged, prepare documentation for admission to inpatient psychiatry unit.
  • Complete MDS assessments to determine mood and cognitive functioning, relaying information to interdisciplinary team and families.

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

Crisis worker vs case manager skills

Common crisis worker skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Mental Health Crisis, 5%
  • Compassion, 5%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Rehabilitation, 3%
Common case manager skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%

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