Perinatal social worker vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between perinatal social workers and behavioral health 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 perinatal social worker, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a perinatal social worker has an average salary of $58,744, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.

The top three skills for a perinatal social worker include social work, OB and health education. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Perinatal social worker vs behavioral health specialist overview

	Perinatal Social Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary	$58,744	$44,808
Hourly rate	$28.24	$21.54
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	43,245	130,222
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	4

Perinatal social worker vs behavioral health specialist salary

Perinatal social workers and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Perinatal Social Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average salary	$58,744	$44,808
Salary range	Between $44,000 And $77,000	Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	-	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Maxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between perinatal social worker and behavioral health specialist education

There are a few differences between a perinatal social worker and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:

	Perinatal Social Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Social Work	Psychology
Most common college	Emory University	California State University - Long Beach

Perinatal social worker vs behavioral health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between perinatal social workers' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:

	Perinatal Social Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 5.7% Female, 94.3%	Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% 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 Percentage	13%	15%

Differences between perinatal social worker and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Perinatal social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Work closely with the medical team and attend weekly multi-disciplinary rounds.
Work with a complex interdisciplinary team facilitating treatment for patients on medical floors including oncology, dialysis, cardiac and maternity.
Integrate a therapeutic/clinical model base on of DBT that support student academic, behavioral and social success.

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.

Perinatal social worker vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common perinatal social worker skills

Social Work, 20%
OB, 14%
Health Education, 13%
Community Agencies, 12%
Mental Health, 8%
Birth Control, 6%

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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Community and Social Services Industry
Perinatal Social Worker
Perinatal Social Worker vs Behavioral Health Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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