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Community support worker vs living specialist

The differences between community support workers and living specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a community support worker and a living specialist. Additionally, a living specialist has an average salary of $36,759, which is higher than the $31,486 average annual salary of a community support worker.

The top three skills for a community support worker include crisis intervention, community resources and social work. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Community support worker vs living specialist overview

Community Support WorkerLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$31,486$36,759
Hourly rate$15.14$17.67
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs106,15849,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a community support worker do?

A community support worker works with different social groups to provide physical, emotional, and emotional support to clients. Community support workers primarily aim to care for and support people with mental and/or physical restrictions or disabilities. They provide personal care assistance to clients and their families or caregivers. Part of their job is to maximize and promote independence in the home and community setting. They encourage residents in care institutions to take part in activities.

What does a living specialist do?

A living specialist is a person who is responsible for assisting and guiding individuals that have difficulties caring for themselves. They are the person who helps them in doing household chores and guiding them throughout the cleaning process. This career is an important position in society because it provides care for those who are in need.

Community support worker vs living specialist salary

Community support workers and living specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Community Support WorkerLiving Specialist
Average salary$31,486$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $40,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityOxnard, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateOregonNew York
Best paying companyChemung ArcTerros Health
Best paying industryProfessionalNon Profits

Differences between community support worker and living specialist education

There are a few differences between a community support worker and a living specialist in terms of educational background:

Community Support WorkerLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Binghamton

Community support worker vs living specialist demographics

Here are the differences between community support workers' and living specialists' demographics:

Community Support WorkerLiving Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between community support worker and living specialist duties and responsibilities

Community support worker example responsibilities.

  • Key staff person, charge with rehabilitation and environmental support essential to assist a consumer in achieving rehabilitation and recovery goals.
  • Promote recovery, rehabilitation and resiliency through goals and skill development in independent living, psycho-educational learning, socializing and recreation.
  • Key staff person, charge with rehabilitation and environmental support essential to assist a consumer in achieving rehabilitation and recovery goals.
  • Document progress and communicate to MHMR case manager.

Living specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Conduct comprehensive care assessments to determine client eligibility for Medicaid fund home health assistance.
  • Provide education and vocational counseling for the individual and/or their family members and significant others to ensure healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation.
  • Collaborate with community health councils and other community agencies to provide programs that enhance community awareness of health and safety.

Community support worker vs living specialist skills

Common community support worker skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Mental Health, 7%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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