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Mental health coordinator vs mental health practitioner

The differences between mental health coordinators and mental health practitioners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mental health coordinator and a mental health practitioner. Additionally, a mental health coordinator has an average salary of $52,428, which is higher than the $50,628 average annual salary of a mental health practitioner.

The top three skills for a mental health coordinator include social work, mental health and mental health assessments. The most important skills for a mental health practitioner are social work, patients, and mental health.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health practitioner overview

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Practitioner
Yearly salary$52,428$50,628
Hourly rate$25.21$24.34
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs137,025140,365
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does a mental health coordinator do?

A mental health coordinator is responsible for implementing and monitoring the psychological health programs at a hospital, school, or other types of care facilities. Your duties typically include overseeing the implementation of programs and treatments, consulting with other health care professionals about therapeutic care and patient cases, and working to increase awareness of community mental health. Additionally, you are responsible for coordinating residential and aftercare therapy for people with mental health issues. You are also responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of patient information.

What does a mental health practitioner do?

Mental health practitioners are medical professionals who work with patients who have mental health issues such as schizophrenia, split personality disorder, and depression. These practitioners are required to develop and implement patient care plans for adults with severe mental disabilities while providing mental health services to attain improved mental health. They must make sure that patients did not spit out their medicines by observing post medication administration with the nurse. Mental health practitioners must also manage therapeutic activities that will teach patients about functional living skills.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health practitioner salary

Mental health coordinators and mental health practitioners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Practitioner
Average salary$52,428$50,628
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $80,000Between $35,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityStockton, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyWellpathDignity Health
Best paying industryGovernmentNon Profits

Differences between mental health coordinator and mental health practitioner education

There are a few differences between a mental health coordinator and a mental health practitioner in terms of educational background:

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Practitioner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Mental health coordinator vs mental health practitioner demographics

Here are the differences between mental health coordinators' and mental health practitioners' demographics:

Mental Health CoordinatorMental Health Practitioner
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 21.4% Female, 78.6%Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
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 mental health coordinator and mental health practitioner duties and responsibilities

Mental health coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage apartment project for SPMI adults and provide case management support to those tenants.
  • Assist in the development of partnerships with universities, mental health agencies and rehabilitation resources in program design and implementation.
  • Refer patients and family members to community resources or to specialists for mentally abuse children or women rights advocacy as necessary.
  • Provide intake assessments for at-risk youth and families to determine eligibility for intensive in-home and therapeutic day treatment services and Medicaid assistance
  • Exhibit genuine compassion and caring for individuals facing a variety of life challenges.
  • Complete emergency evaluations of patients and refer for inpatient treatment if necessary.
  • Show more

Mental health practitioner example responsibilities.

  • Manage other MHA's in their duties and help them problem solving in tense and stressful situations.
  • Provide case management, crisis intervention and counseling for patients diagnose with co-occurring disorders in a residential treatment setting.
  • Case management, CBT/DBT, vocational rehabilitation, benefit supports and application processing.
  • Monitor patients prescribe psychotropic medications assure compliance and accuracy, and assess effectiveness and side effects.
  • Provide in-home services to diverse individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses, developmental disability and chemical dependency concerns.
  • Develop and facilitate a psycho-educational program for recovery from depression and PTSD.

Mental health coordinator vs mental health practitioner skills

Common mental health coordinator skills
  • Social Work, 31%
  • Mental Health, 14%
  • Mental Health Assessments, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Clinical Supervision, 3%
Common mental health practitioner skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Family Therapy, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • In-Home, 5%

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