Clinical externship vs primary therapist

The differences between clinical externships and primary therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a clinical externship and a primary therapist. Additionally, a primary therapist has an average salary of $59,826, which is higher than the $35,831 average annual salary of a clinical externship.

The top three skills for a clinical externship include patients, mental health and patient care. The most important skills for a primary therapist are patients, social work, and group therapy sessions.

Clinical externship vs primary therapist overview

	Clinical Externship	Primary Therapist
Yearly salary	$35,831	$59,826
Hourly rate	$17.23	$28.76
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	63,061	85,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Master's Degree, 49%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a clinical externship do?

A clinical externship is a short medical student program directly mentored by professionals within their chosen career path in healthcare. Clinical externs work in various settings such as hospitals, a doctor's office, or clinics and work directly with patients to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in the classroom. They will be graded and must pass the program to be able to graduate from medical school. Externs must request a letter of recommendation from their site supervisor when applying for jobs.

What does a primary therapist do?

Primary therapists are the main point of contact for patients concerning wellness and overall mental health. Those who choose this career path will be expected to supervise and manage efficient treatment according to plan, and to manage between six and eight patients at a time, keeping in constant communication with these patients and various specialists.

Clinical externship vs primary therapist salary

Clinical externships and primary therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Externship	Primary Therapist
Average salary	$35,831	$59,826
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $51,000	Between $43,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Alameda, CA	Thousand Oaks, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Genentech	Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Best paying industry	Education	Finance

Differences between clinical externship and primary therapist education

There are a few differences between a clinical externship and a primary therapist in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Externship	Primary Therapist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Master's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Clinical externship vs primary therapist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical externships' and primary therapists' demographics:

	Clinical Externship	Primary Therapist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%	Male, 27.1% Female, 72.9%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between clinical externship and primary therapist duties and responsibilities

Clinical externship example responsibilities.

Set up and manage new medical transcription department.
Manage large scale TMF inventory/file cleanup projects in preparation for FDA and EMA inspections.
Manage difficult or emotional patient situations, with compassion and professionalism.
Participate in multiple studies managing CTM activities for various therapeutic areas simultaneously including oncology, urology, transplant, and immunology.
Monitor EKG's, assess blood pressure, palpate heart rates, safely progress patients in exercise.
Perform manual data entry in CTMS, TMF, CRF imaging and various departmental databases.

Primary therapist example responsibilities.

Case managing, intakes, group and individual session, treatment plans, OASAS standards
Provide clinical therapy for severely emotionally disturb adolescents and their families to aid in the rehabilitation process.
Perform crisis intervention, including management of difficult or resistant patients, utilizing clinically appropriate accept techniques and methods.
Assist in development of extend hour IOP and PHP program.
experience, IOP, individual sessions, assessments, case management.
Assist in developing and assessing progress on individual rehabilitation plans.

Clinical externship vs primary therapist skills

Common clinical externship skills

Patients, 32%
Mental Health, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Crisis Intervention, 4%
Vital Signs, 4%
Substance Abuse, 4%

Common primary therapist skills

Patients, 17%
Social Work, 14%
Group Therapy Sessions, 8%
Eating Disorders, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Crisis Intervention, 5%

Clinical Externship vs. similar jobs

Clinical Externship related careers

Clinical Externship related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Clinical Externship
Clinical Externship vs Primary Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs