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Behavioral specialist vs rehabilitation specialist

The differences between behavioral specialists and rehabilitation specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a behavioral specialist, becoming a rehabilitation specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a rehabilitation specialist has an average salary of $42,934, which is higher than the $42,029 average annual salary of a behavioral specialist.

The top three skills for a behavioral specialist include mental health, autism and applied behavior analysis. The most important skills for a rehabilitation specialist are rehabilitation, patients, and crisis intervention.

Behavioral specialist vs rehabilitation specialist overview

Behavioral SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Yearly salary$42,029$42,934
Hourly rate$20.21$20.64
Growth rate12%11%
Number of jobs74,96829,177
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3945
Years of experience612

What does a behavioral specialist do?

A behavioral specialist is a psychological expert providing guidance and counseling to people who have behavioral issues affecting their abilities to learn and socialize with other people. Behavioral specialists assess the level of patients' behavior and make treatment plans to help them cope. They monitor the patient's progress and keep treatment reports, improving or adjusting treatment plans as needed. They also communicate with the patients' family and friends for treatment support, as well as coordinate with other health professionals for additional assistance.

What does a rehabilitation specialist do?

Rehabilitation specialists are professionals who are responsible for helping individuals with physical and mental disabilities to reintegrate into society and live independently. These specialists must assist their clients in finding the type of work they could do with their disability and prepare them for their interview. They are required to provide a basic explanation about the medical or mental health condition to their clients. Rehabilitation specialists must also collaborate with other professionals to assist with rehabilitation exercises.

Behavioral specialist vs rehabilitation specialist salary

Behavioral specialists and rehabilitation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavioral SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Average salary$42,029$42,934
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $61,000Between $29,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKCleveland, OH
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyBarbarianPrudential Bank
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between behavioral specialist and rehabilitation specialist education

There are a few differences between a behavioral specialist and a rehabilitation specialist in terms of educational background:

Behavioral SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachColumbia University in the City of New York

Behavioral specialist vs rehabilitation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between behavioral specialists' and rehabilitation specialists' demographics:

Behavioral SpecialistRehabilitation Specialist
Average age3945
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage12%21%

Differences between behavioral specialist and rehabilitation specialist duties and responsibilities

Behavioral specialist example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients and strategically prepare and manage clinical analysis of individuals and their progress in conjunction with formulate behavior goals.
  • Implement a CPR training program for 20 staff serving 50 clients with mental illness.
  • Guide student achievement according to district's math content standards, utilizing identify needs information.
  • Assist children with autism or other developmental disabilities with activities and therapeutic socialization to improve social skills and academic performance.
  • Attend ETR meetings and provide input on students.
  • Sanitize toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
  • Show more

Rehabilitation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of ISP goals and objectives.
  • Utilize extensive administrative, CPR, first aid, and medical equipment training as needed.
  • Encourage and assist patients to perform specific activities of daily living (ADL's).
  • Prepare and participate in semi and annual meetings, ISP's and day hab plans.
  • Resolve issues with the clients that create a barrier to the successful completion of their IPE.
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Behavioral specialist vs rehabilitation specialist skills

Common behavioral specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%
Common rehabilitation specialist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 24%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Social Work, 4%

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