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Outreach worker vs outreach specialist

The differences between outreach workers and outreach specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an outreach worker and an outreach specialist. Additionally, an outreach specialist has an average salary of $41,863, which is higher than the $37,639 average annual salary of an outreach worker.

The top three skills for an outreach worker include social work, autism and patients. The most important skills for an outreach specialist are customer service, patients, and social work.

Outreach worker vs outreach specialist overview

Outreach WorkerOutreach Specialist
Yearly salary$37,639$41,863
Hourly rate$18.10$20.13
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs65,82246,523
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does an outreach worker do?

An outreach worker is responsible for supporting community events and relief efforts to assist citizens with their needs, providing them resources, and facilitating lifestyle programs. Outreach workers coordinate with participants, suppliers, and sponsors for funding and promotions. They also manage the budgeting and allocation of resources for the programs, ensuring that the activities adhere to the state regulations and community benefits. An outreach worker must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing progress reports and transactions.

What does an outreach specialist do?

An outreach specialist is primarily responsible for organizing and managing social service programs that promote health and wellness within a community. They typically conduct research and assessments to determine the community's needs, thoroughly plan events and programs, participate in hiring staff and volunteers, and liaise with sponsors and suppliers. Often reporting to a manager or supervisor, an outreach specialist must also perform clerical tasks such as producing progress reports, preparing necessary documentation, managing schedules, arranging appointments, and even responding to inquiries and concerns.

Outreach worker vs outreach specialist salary

Outreach workers and outreach specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Outreach WorkerOutreach Specialist
Average salary$37,639$41,863
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $49,000Between $29,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaCalifornia
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkCME Group
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between outreach worker and outreach specialist education

There are a few differences between an outreach worker and an outreach specialist in terms of educational background:

Outreach WorkerOutreach Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonUniversity of Southern California

Outreach worker vs outreach specialist demographics

Here are the differences between outreach workers' and outreach specialists' demographics:

Outreach WorkerOutreach Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.5% Asian, 6.2% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between outreach worker and outreach specialist duties and responsibilities

Outreach worker example responsibilities.

  • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
  • Provide information and referral to patients regarding community resources and needs indicate, and advocate eliminating barriers to care.
  • Provide resources for the community regarding health care issues and rehabilitation.
  • Conduct client interviews clients to gather information, assess need, and determine appropriate Medicaid category of eligibility.
  • Assist patients in application process for medical programs and screen for appropriate medical coverage eligibility available through state programs.
  • Deliver direct services to children with autism by executing individualize plans, completing necessary documentation and communication effectively with team.
  • Show more

Outreach specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage low volume Medicare caseload when need.
  • Manage incoming/outgoing referrals and some ICD-9 medical coding.
  • Preform contact investigations on active TB clients.
  • Conduct thorough, detail screenings of contacts through TB Mantoux test.
  • Enter new clients into MedFORCE (EMR) and maintain electronic records.
  • Complete all documentation in state EMR's to prepare client file for discharge.
  • Show more

Outreach worker vs outreach specialist skills

Common outreach worker skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common outreach specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Veterans, 4%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%

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