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What does a program counselor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Juleen Buser Ph.D.
What does a program counselor do

A Program Counselor is an essential part of a school's faculty. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure that students are benefiting from the school's educational curriculum. This person is also tasked to help students resolve issues and problems that may hinder any educational progress. They are also part of the disciplinary team intended to instill good morals, ethics, and decency in students. The Program Counselor is one of the teacher or professor who has expertise or has a high educational degree in a particular subject or field.

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Program counselor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real program counselor resumes:

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
  • Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
  • Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
  • Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.
  • Develop concise aftercare plans and treatment goals for medically monitor crisis and medically monitor detox program patients.
  • Assist residents with rehabilitation process, provides emotional and behavioral support, along with providing a safe living environment.
  • Assist the individuals with ADL's.
  • Minimize conflict that may result in crisis using CPI techniques and physical restraint if necessary to ensure safety.
  • Develop educational study plans and participate in IEP meetings.
  • Preach to the congregation and teach bible classes.
  • Support DBT skill development in women who have experienced significant trauma and/or are coping with personality disorders.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Program counselor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Program Counselors are proficient in Developmental Disabilities, Patients, and Community Integration. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Compassion, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Program Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Developmental Disabilities, 11%

    General Job Description: Responsible for assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a vocational and skills advancement center.

  • Patients, 11%

    Provided health education to patients and families; trained and supervised Physician assistant's residents engaged in specific clinical activities.

  • Community Integration, 9%

    Provide Care to individuals with developmental/physical disabilities* Pass medications* Provide community integration

  • CPR, 8%

    Maintain training in CPR, First Aid, Rule 40, OSHA, Vulnerable Adults and medical equipment.

  • Social Work, 8%

    Communicate on a daily basis to the families, doctors, nurses, social workers of residents.

  • Medication Administration, 7%

    Support residents with daily activities that may include medication administration.

"developmental disabilities," "patients," and "community integration" are among the most common skills that program counselors use at work. You can find even more program counselor responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a program counselor to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." Program counselors often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "direct staff to disabled persons, medication administration, peri-cares, logging information in therap database. "

Compassion. Another essential skill to perform program counselor duties is compassion. Program counselors responsibilities require that "school and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students." Program counselors also use compassion in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assisted each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery. "

Interpersonal skills. program counselors are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to program counselor responsibilities, because "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." A program counselor resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "increased the safety of patients and staff members by effectively diffusing intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict of patients. "

Listening skills. For certain program counselor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "listening skills." The day-to-day duties of a program counselor rely on this skill, as "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what program counselors do: "listen to concerns, provide emotional support, assist in crisis situations, and develop a close relationship with each client. "

Speaking skills. Another crucial skill for a program counselor to carry out their responsibilities is "speaking skills." A big part of what program counselors relies on this skill, since "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." How this skill relates to program counselor duties can be seen in an example from a program counselor resume snippet: "presented in the community to increase awareness of mental health issues. "

All program counselor skills

The three companies that hire the most program counselors are:

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Compare different program counselors

Program counselor vs. Counselor internship

When it comes to Counselor Internship, among the primary responsibilities is to assist in dealing with various activities such as preparing and verifying necessary documentation, observing consultations and outreach programs, guide clients and help develop multiple helpful strategies, and provide assessments. Furthermore, one can conduct counseling and consultation only under supervision. It is also essential to track the information gathered and coordinate with assigned personnel to adhere to the company's regulations and policies.

We looked at the average program counselor salary and compared it with the wages of a counselor internship. Generally speaking, counselor interns are paid $1,680 higher than program counselors per year.Even though program counselors and counselor interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require crisis intervention, behavioral issues, and relapse prevention in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between program counselors and counselor internship. For instance, program counselor responsibilities require skills such as "developmental disabilities," "patients," "community integration," and "cpr." Whereas a counselor internship is skilled in "intake assessments," "substance abuse issues," "family therapy," and "cognitive behavioral therapy." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Counselor interns tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $51,629. In contrast, program counselors make the biggest average salary, $41,845, in the health care industry.The education levels that counselor interns earn slightly differ from program counselors. In particular, counselor interns are 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a program counselor. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Program counselor vs. Student support counselor

A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.

Student support counselor positions earn lower pay than program counselor roles. They earn a $2,491 lower salary than program counselors per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both program counselors and student support counselors have skills such as "developmental disabilities," "community integration," and "cpr. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, program counselor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "social work," "behavioral interventions," and "compassion." Meanwhile, a student support counselor has duties that require skills in areas such as "student support," "mental health," "professional development," and "financial aid." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Student support counselors earn a lower average salary than program counselors. But student support counselors earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $44,149. Additionally, program counselors earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $41,845 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Student support counselors tend to reach similar levels of education than program counselors. In fact, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for program counselors in the next 3-5 years?

Juleen Buser Ph.D.

Professor and Director, School Counseling and Coaching Programs, Rider University

I believe the methods of distance-based services will be more relevant and prevalent. Remote counseling services have been growing in the field for some time, but I would expect the pandemic and the shift for remote counseling during this time will lead to even higher use of such modalities in the future.

Program counselor vs. Substance abuse counselor

Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.

On average scale, substance abuse counselors bring in lower salaries than program counselors. In fact, they earn a $751 lower salary per year.program counselors and substance abuse counselors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "patients," "social work," and "crisis intervention," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from program counselor resumes include skills like "developmental disabilities," "community integration," "cpr," and "medication administration," whereas a substance abuse counselor is more likely to list skills in "substance abuse treatment," "intake assessments," "rehabilitation," and "excellent interpersonal. "

Substance abuse counselors earn the highest salary when working in the non profits industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,273. Comparatively, program counselors have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $41,845.When it comes to education, substance abuse counselors tend to earn higher degree levels compared to program counselors. In fact, they're 9.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Program counselor vs. Rehabilitation counselor

Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients. They must make connections with community support so that individuals with disabilities can avail of the types of services that are available. Rehabilitation counselors must also find employers and educate them in understanding the needs and abilities of disabled people.

Rehabilitation counselors tend to earn a lower pay than program counselors by an average of $709 per year.While both program counselors and rehabilitation counselors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "medication administration," "behavioral interventions," "behavioral issues," and "compassion" are skills that commonly show up on program counselor resumes. On the other hand, rehabilitation counselors use skills like rehabilitation, mental health, management system, and vocational rehabilitation on their resumes.rehabilitation counselors enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $43,146. For comparison, program counselors earn the highest salary in the health care industry.rehabilitation counselors reach higher levels of education compared to program counselors, in general. The difference is that they're 10.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of program counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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