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Health support specialist vs living specialist

The differences between health support specialists and living specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a health support specialist, becoming a living specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a living specialist has an average salary of $36,759, which is higher than the $31,552 average annual salary of a health support specialist.

The top three skills for a health support specialist include patients, social work and CPR. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Health support specialist vs living specialist overview

Health Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$31,552$36,759
Hourly rate$15.17$17.67
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs152,89749,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4243
Years of experience212

What does a health support specialist do?

Health Support Specialists are professionals who assist medical professionals in providing health care to improve or restore the mental or physical well-being of their patients. These specialists must create health plans for families while accompanying children with their appointments to receive the necessary health care that is mandated by the federal government. They are required to provide mental health support services by conducting community outreach programs with local vendors and organizations. Health Support Specialists must also conduct counseling sessions for adolescents about substance abuse.

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.

Health support specialist vs living specialist salary

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

Health Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average salary$31,552$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $42,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyMedtronicTerros Health
Best paying industryUtilitiesNon Profits

Differences between health support specialist and living specialist education

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

Health Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY at Binghamton

Health support specialist vs living specialist demographics

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

Health Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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 health support specialist and living specialist duties and responsibilities

Health support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Prevent and manage aggressive behavior among clients and administer CPR in emergency interventions.
  • Word with individuals with autism.
  • Train clients on how to improve their ability to carry out ADL's.
  • Train in trauma inform practice, first aid CPR, and individual medication case management.
  • Consult with referral specialists on finding appropriate and timely community resources for patients.
  • Make treatment recommendations and work with interdisciplinary treatment teams to develop and schedule educational and treatment activities for patients.
  • Show more

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.

Health support specialist vs living specialist skills

Common health support specialist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Social Work, 15%
  • CPR, 14%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Substance Abuse, 4%
  • Persistent Mental Illness, 4%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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