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Mental health program manager vs social work supervisor

The differences between mental health program managers and social work supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a mental health program manager, becoming a social work supervisor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a mental health program manager has an average salary of $74,778, which is higher than the $62,939 average annual salary of a social work supervisor.

The top three skills for a mental health program manager include social work, behavioral health and mental health. The most important skills for a social work supervisor are social work, patients, and MSW.

Mental health program manager vs social work supervisor overview

Mental Health Program ManagerSocial Work Supervisor
Yearly salary$74,778$62,939
Hourly rate$35.95$30.26
Growth rate28%12%
Number of jobs136,59893,867
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Master's Degree, 48%
Average age4743
Years of experience612

What does a mental health program manager do?

A mental health program manager is in charge of creating and overseeing mental health programs in their organization. They are tasked with following up with patients, designing programs, monitoring program progress, working with other health professionals to ensure patient concerns are addressed, and meeting with patients' families to offer emotional and logistical support. They need to develop strict guidelines to help with mental health, develop policies with other company leaders to ensure patient needs are met, and manage the databases and patient charts.

What does a social work supervisor do?

Social work supervisors are licensed professionals who are responsible for providing administrative, clinical, and supportive supervision to inexperienced social workers. These supervisors are required to organize training to help their subordinates to develop their skills and promote career growth. They must respond to the conflicts occurring within the team and promote ethical behaviors among them as well as manage their schedules and expectations. Social work supervisors must also participate in research and studies which required opinion from social work organizations.

Mental health program manager vs social work supervisor salary

Mental health program managers and social work supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mental Health Program ManagerSocial Work Supervisor
Average salary$74,778$62,939
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $111,000Between $47,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyFraser LtdChaplaincy Health Care
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between mental health program manager and social work supervisor education

There are a few differences between a mental health program manager and a social work supervisor in terms of educational background:

Mental Health Program ManagerSocial Work Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Master's Degree, 48%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Mental health program manager vs social work supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between mental health program managers' and social work supervisors' demographics:

Mental Health Program ManagerSocial Work Supervisor
Average age4743
Gender ratioMale, 28.6% Female, 71.4%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage12%11%

Differences between mental health program manager and social work supervisor duties and responsibilities

Mental health program manager example responsibilities.

  • Conduct daily clinical documentation audits, manage consumer financial accounts, provide oversight and approval for all treatment and discharge planning.
  • Conduct billing and coding through agency reimbursement funding through Medicaid.
  • Develop and maintain close liaison with local providers and drug rehabilitation facilities.
  • Chair and direct interdisciplinary teams in the development and evaluation of individualize habilitation, rehabilitation and treatment plans.
  • Coordinate and provide qualitative and quantitative review of all documentation to insure billing accuracy for Medicaid compliance and federal guidelines.
  • Implement process improvements and Medicare department reorganization that establish a foundation for improve member outcomes and satisfaction and increase product margins.
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Social work supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partners including public and private agencies to achieve permanency for children.
  • Provide training and weekly supervision to MSW and BSW level staff in the traditional and therapeutic foster care programs.
  • Provide ongoing adjustment to illness support to patients and families through hospitalization, bereavement counseling, and crisis intervention.
  • Input data from assessments into the MDS system for submission to Medicare.
  • Spearhead hospital-wide projects, including roll out of new CMS regulations and forms.
  • Provide ongoing and current education regarding CMS issues like ABN process and implementation.
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Mental health program manager vs social work supervisor skills

Common mental health program manager skills
  • Social Work, 20%
  • Behavioral Health, 9%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
Common social work supervisor skills
  • Social Work, 31%
  • Patients, 6%
  • MSW, 5%
  • Child Welfare, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%

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