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Family intervention specialist vs behavioral specialist

The differences between family intervention specialists and behavioral specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a family intervention specialist, becoming a behavioral specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a family intervention specialist has an average salary of $42,045, which is higher than the $42,029 average annual salary of a behavioral specialist.

The top three skills for a family intervention specialist include social work, family therapy and at-risk youth. The most important skills for a behavioral specialist are mental health, autism, and applied behavior analysis.

Family intervention specialist vs behavioral specialist overview

Family Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Specialist
Yearly salary$42,045$42,029
Hourly rate$20.21$20.21
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs76,99074,968
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4239
Years of experience46

What does a family intervention specialist do?

A family intervention specialist provides family-centered care by visiting children and youth with alcohol addiction, substance abuse, and mental or behavioral health disorders. Typical duties include providing assessment and counseling using evidence-based practices, coordinating with treatment providers to implement services for children and their families. Additionally, as a family intervention specialist, you will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate reporting, clinical charts, and billing records.

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.

Family intervention specialist vs behavioral specialist salary

Family intervention specialists and behavioral specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Specialist
Average salary$42,045$42,029
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $49,000Between $28,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Barbarian
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between family intervention specialist and behavioral specialist education

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

Family Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Family intervention specialist vs behavioral specialist demographics

Here are the differences between family intervention specialists' and behavioral specialists' demographics:

Family Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Specialist
Average age4239
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage10%12%

Differences between family intervention specialist and behavioral specialist duties and responsibilities

Family intervention specialist example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Provide information and support to transitioning foster youth during assessment, case planning or other permanency and transition-relate activities.
  • case file review and Medicaid authorizations.
  • Attend school meetings, including disciplinary meetings, IEP meetings, and conferences for clients.
  • Complete risk assessments and develop comprehensive intervention plans to address safety, communication, and problem solving abilities.

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

Family intervention specialist vs behavioral specialist skills

Common family intervention specialist skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Family Therapy, 13%
  • at-Risk Youth, 7%
  • On-Call Availability, 5%
  • Child Welfare, 5%
  • Villages, 5%
Common behavioral specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%

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