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Personal advocate vs service assistant

The differences between personal advocates and service assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a personal advocate and a service assistant. Additionally, a personal advocate has an average salary of $36,577, which is higher than the $31,928 average annual salary of a service assistant.

The top three skills for a personal advocate include mental health, inbound calls and social work. The most important skills for a service assistant are excellent interpersonal, basic math, and customer satisfaction.

Personal advocate vs service assistant overview

Personal AdvocateService Assistant
Yearly salary$36,577$31,928
Hourly rate$17.59$15.35
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs70,76869,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a personal advocate do?

Personal advocates must have skills in communication, collaboration, and presentation. They also need a bachelor's or associate's degree in a health-related discipline, and their salary may range from $55K to over $100K per year depending on their degree. Personal advocates encourage and facilitate customer choices and support these choices in order to promote independence and personal growth.

What does a service assistant do?

A Service Assistant's responsibility depends on the line of work or industry involved. However, the primary responsibility of a Service Assistant is to respond to a customer's inquiry and offer them assistance, a suggestion, or a solution. Aside from ensuring customer satisfaction, a Service Assistant may also process payments, discuss product information, and sell products or services in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, A Service Assistant needs to keep records of transactions at all times and report to management or supervisors.

Personal advocate vs service assistant salary

Personal advocates and service assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Personal AdvocateService Assistant
Average salary$36,577$31,928
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $45,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyCignaBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industryInsuranceGovernment

Differences between personal advocate and service assistant education

There are a few differences between a personal advocate and a service assistant in terms of educational background:

Personal AdvocateService Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Personal advocate vs service assistant demographics

Here are the differences between personal advocates' and service assistants' demographics:

Personal AdvocateService Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 14.0% Female, 86.0%Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between personal advocate and service assistant duties and responsibilities

Personal advocate example responsibilities.

  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
  • Change bed linens, run errands, direct visitors and answer telephones.
  • Maintain the safety and security of shelter, and the cleanliness of facility.
  • Instruct, or advise clients on issues such as household cleanliness, utilities, hygiene or nutrition.
  • Assist patients in securing medical coverage by screening refer patients and coordinating the application process through successful approval.
  • Make contact with family or significant others to promote implementation of ISP and community stability.

Service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operations including contract management, accounts payable, receivables, payroll and general administrative assistance.
  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
  • Function as part of the trauma team by performing CPR.
  • Set up and maintain CPR certifications for all instructional aids.
  • Review supplies, materials, vendor selection for WIS and NICU.
  • Show more

Personal advocate vs service assistant skills

Common personal advocate skills
  • Mental Health, 17%
  • Inbound Calls, 13%
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Crisis Intervention, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Safety Planning, 4%
Common service assistant skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 17%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Math, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%

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