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Health specialist vs health advisor

The differences between health specialists and health advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a health specialist, becoming a health advisor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a health advisor has an average salary of $80,312, which is higher than the $47,740 average annual salary of a health specialist.

The top three skills for a health specialist include patients, health education and public health. The most important skills for a health advisor are patients, employee engagement, and social work.

Health specialist vs health advisor overview

Health SpecialistHealth Advisor
Yearly salary$47,740$80,312
Hourly rate$22.95$38.61
Growth rate6%-4%
Number of jobs72,46385,719
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4540
Years of experience612

What does a health specialist do?

A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.

What does a health advisor do?

A health advisor is a medical expert who specializes in developing various health programs and projects to provide patients with optimal healthcare services. They are primarily in charge of helping patients navigate and understand the healthcare system. Their responsibilities also include performing research and analysis to identify the community's needs, coordinating with fellow experts, setting objectives and guidelines, and referring patients to other services when necessary. Moreover, a health advisor must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Health specialist vs health advisor salary

Health specialists and health advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health SpecialistHealth Advisor
Average salary$47,740$80,312
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $72,000Between $49,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaMaryland
Best paying companyCity of SeattleThe Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between health specialist and health advisor education

There are a few differences between a health specialist and a health advisor in terms of educational background:

Health SpecialistHealth Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Health specialist vs health advisor demographics

Here are the differences between health specialists' and health advisors' demographics:

Health SpecialistHealth Advisor
Average age4540
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 34.6% Female, 65.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between health specialist and health advisor duties and responsibilities

Health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
  • Hire, manage payroll and provide oversight for research and administrative assistants.
  • Provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disable veterans and other eligible individuals.
  • Coordinate and facilitate workgroup and committee meetings.
  • Assist in running a life skills group for young adults with autism.
  • Work one-on-one with an individual who have autism and are visually impair.
  • Show more

Health advisor example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with management to train new employees on company policies and procedures and manage customer concerns via LiveChat.
  • Foster and develop positive relationships with mental health patients and their family members.
  • Serve as technical expert with respect to all phases of program implementation relating to school immunization research topics under consideration.
  • Sell and enroll customers into marketplace plans.
  • Perform health reimbursement procedures and claim processing, appeals, and grievances procedures.
  • Aid participants with health goals and resources need while following all HIPPA regulations.
  • Show more

Health specialist vs health advisor skills

Common health specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • Public Health, 8%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Veterans, 5%
  • Technical Assistance, 5%
Common health advisor skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Employee Engagement, 11%
  • Social Work, 9%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Global Health, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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