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Dependency case manager vs program assistant

The differences between dependency case managers and program assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a dependency case manager and a program assistant. Additionally, a dependency case manager has an average salary of $37,770, which is higher than the $35,193 average annual salary of a program assistant.

The top three skills for a dependency case manager include social work, DCF and foster care. The most important skills for a program assistant are patients, customer service, and data entry.

Dependency case manager vs program assistant overview

Dependency Case ManagerProgram Assistant
Yearly salary$37,770$35,193
Hourly rate$18.16$16.92
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs77,81396,901
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a dependency case manager do?

A dependency care manager oversees staff operations to ensure clients, particularly the minors, receive the care and support they need. They primarily conduct interviews and evaluations to identify the clients' needs, arrange different services, and plan various care and treatment programs in collaboration with mental health professionals. They are also responsible for monitoring the progress of cases, preparing reports and presentations, processing documentation, and facilitating the placement of social workers to assist families and individuals. Moreover, a dependency care manager empowers staff and implements policies and regulations to ensure efficient services.

What does a program assistant do?

Program assistants are usually entry-level or junior employees assigned to a department that handles a specific program in the organization. They assist the team they are assigned to in the implementation of the programs. They usually take care of administrative or clerical activities while also getting exposure to actual program management. Program assistants get trained to handle agendas from inception, to sourcing, to implementation, to evaluation. They may also handle documentary support for business cases or other presentation materials that the team may need for a specific part of the program management cycle.

Dependency case manager vs program assistant salary

Dependency case managers and program assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dependency Case ManagerProgram Assistant
Average salary$37,770$35,193
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $63,000Between $27,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-The Aspen Institute
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between dependency case manager and program assistant education

There are a few differences between a dependency case manager and a program assistant in terms of educational background:

Dependency Case ManagerProgram Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Dependency case manager vs program assistant demographics

Here are the differences between dependency case managers' and program assistants' demographics:

Dependency Case ManagerProgram Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 17.2% Female, 82.8%Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 5.9% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 13.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 6.7% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between dependency case manager and program assistant duties and responsibilities

Dependency case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage extensively high Medicaid case load of clients receiving mental health services within the facility needing case management and medication management.
  • Identify and assess client and family needs of minors place in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect by caretakers.
  • Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
  • Attend school IEP meetings and disciplinary meetings to advocate and plan for client's educational service needs.
  • Make referrals to home care and/or DME vendors using Medicare/Medicaid criteria/eligibility.

Program assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead classes in anatomy/physiology, medical terminology, transcription.
  • Manage oversight of budget/finance, personnel and continuous program improvement.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Instruct students in C++ and Java programming, robot design and construction.
  • Introduce students to various computer pro- gramming languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
  • Present information about RSVP to community organizations.
  • Show more

Dependency case manager vs program assistant skills

Common dependency case manager skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • DCF, 11%
  • Foster Care, 9%
  • Kids, 9%
  • On-Call Support, 7%
  • Medical Coverage, 5%
Common program assistant skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HR, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 6%
  • Data Collection, 4%

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