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Utilization review nurse vs head nurse

The differences between utilization review nurses and head nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a utilization review nurse and a head nurse. Additionally, a head nurse has an average salary of $80,173, which is higher than the $65,425 average annual salary of a utilization review nurse.

The top three skills for a utilization review nurse include medical necessity, patients and acute care. The most important skills for a head nurse are patients, BLS, and compassion.

Utilization review nurse vs head nurse overview

Utilization Review NurseHead Nurse
Yearly salary$65,425$80,173
Hourly rate$31.45$38.54
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs29,776649,127
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

Utilization review nurse vs head nurse salary

Utilization review nurses and head nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Utilization Review NurseHead Nurse
Average salary$65,425$80,173
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $89,000Between $48,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityAlameda, CAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateRhode IslandCalifornia
Best paying companyMolina HealthcareAstraZeneca
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between utilization review nurse and head nurse education

There are a few differences between a utilization review nurse and a head nurse in terms of educational background:

Utilization Review NurseHead Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Utilization review nurse vs head nurse demographics

Here are the differences between utilization review nurses' and head nurses' demographics:

Utilization Review NurseHead Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 8.5% Female, 91.5%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between utilization review nurse and head nurse duties and responsibilities

Utilization review nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Case management for acute patients refer to LTC
  • Advise insurance carriers on recommend reimbursement for charges following automate bill audit utilizing ICD-9 and CPT codes.
  • Provide caregiver oversight relate to care, medication administration and emergency situations.
  • Identify inappropriate utilization of services/settings through the application of establish clinical criteria using InterQual and CMS guidelines for medical necessity.
  • Direct contact with IPA providers.
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Head nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Receive intensive training for critical care skill development upon transferring to the medical ICU.
  • Perform advanced nursing care to acute/chronic medical/surgical, cardiac, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic and oncology/ hematology patients.
  • Certify staff in CPR and blood glucose monitoring.
  • Develop and implement an intensive care class for the staff; implement ACLS class for all staff.
  • Develop process improvement plan with bundles for sedation and ventilation.
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Utilization review nurse vs head nurse skills

Common utilization review nurse skills
  • Medical Necessity, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Utilization Management, 6%
  • Utilization Review, 6%
Common head nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 9%
  • Compassion, 6%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Acls, 4%
  • CPR, 3%

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