Department director vs patient care manager

The differences between department directors 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 department director and a patient care manager. Additionally, a department director has an average salary of $97,804, which is higher than the $65,369 average annual salary of a patient care manager.

The top three skills for a department director include patient care, patients and healthcare. The most important skills for a patient care manager are home health, patients, and quality care.

Department director vs patient care manager overview

	Department Director	Patient Care Manager
Yearly salary	$97,804	$65,369
Hourly rate	$47.02	$31.43
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	73,424	123,652
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a department director do?

A Department Director spearheads and oversees the operations of a department, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Although their responsibilities vary upon the functions of a department, they typically have the power to decide on projects and programs. Their responsibilities include setting goals, establishing budgets and guidelines, representing the department at meetings and media coverages, liaising with external business partners, managing staff, and monitoring the progress of operations. Moreover, a Department Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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.

Department director vs patient care manager salary

Department directors and patient care managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Director	Patient Care Manager
Average salary	$97,804	$65,369
Salary range	Between $64,000 And $148,000	Between $36,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Anna Jaques Hospital	Accenture
Best paying industry	Finance	Health Care

Differences between department director and patient care manager education

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

	Department Director	Patient Care Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Department director vs patient care manager demographics

Here are the differences between department directors' and patient care managers' demographics:

	Department Director	Patient Care Manager
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 7.9% White, 62.4% 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 department director and patient care manager duties and responsibilities

Department director example responsibilities.

Manage and direct bureau operations, and provide oversight of criminal investigations of statewide importance.
Establish and develop relationships with ERP and consulting vendors with the goal of maximizing comparative advantage and cost efficient solution development.
Ensure compliance with all CMS regulations.
Provide public education in the areas of fire department capabilities and history as well as CPR classes.
Follow up and coordination of rehabilitation services.
Cross-Train pre-operative and PACU staff to optimize efficiency.

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.

Department director vs patient care manager skills

Common department director skills

Patient Care, 15%
Patients, 14%
Healthcare, 13%
Oversight, 8%
Human Resources, 5%
Payroll, 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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Executive Management Industry
Department Director
Department Director vs Patient Care Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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