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Intervention specialist vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between intervention specialists and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an intervention specialist and a behavioral health specialist. Additionally, an intervention specialist has an average salary of $50,180, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.

The top three skills for an intervention specialist include mental health, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Intervention specialist vs behavioral health specialist overview

Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary$50,180$44,808
Hourly rate$24.12$21.54
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs69,156130,222
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does an intervention specialist do?

An intervention specialist is responsible for assisting children with special education and social adjustment needs in schools and other educational settings. You will be responsible for designing, executing, and assessing programs based on different factors, including gender, cultural background, and age. Other tasks that you will likely perform include working closely with teachers to discuss the subject matter with students, ensuring children and occupied and safe, and maintaining records of children's performance and lesson plans. An intervention specialist is also responsible for adhering to individualized education programs.

What does a behavioral health specialist do?

Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.

Intervention specialist vs behavioral health specialist salary

Intervention specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Average salary$50,180$44,808
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CityAlameda, CAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyBirchMaxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industryGovernmentInsurance

Differences between intervention specialist and behavioral health specialist education

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

Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Intervention specialist vs behavioral health specialist demographics

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

Intervention SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 30.4% Female, 69.6%Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage15%15%

Differences between intervention specialist and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Intervention specialist example responsibilities.

  • Conduct mental health triage; make appropriate dispositions to other inpatient units with the local area.
  • Coordinate with parents, general education teachers, service providers in all aspects of the IEP and ETR annual review process.
  • Assist families with children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
  • Track students' GPA, college and career goals.
  • Supervise employees and train for EIS certification through DARS and state of Texas.
  • Perform crisis phone triage, mobile face to face assessments and arrange for respite services.
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Behavioral health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Complete training in CPR, self-defense, and mental health.
  • Monitor meals for residents suffering from eating disorders and provide compassion and encouragement when an individual are struggling with eating.
  • Work with kids who have special needs.
  • Ensure departments are in compliance with MSHA and OSHA regulations.
  • Provide daily and weekly detail reports on client and BHP interaction.
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Intervention specialist vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common intervention specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 13%
  • Social Work, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Classroom Management, 5%
  • Group Sessions, 5%
  • IEP, 4%
Common behavioral health specialist skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 5%

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