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Rehabilitation specialist vs community health counselor

The differences between rehabilitation specialists and community health counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a rehabilitation specialist, becoming a community health counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a community health counselor has an average salary of $43,304, which is higher than the $42,934 average annual salary of a rehabilitation specialist.

The top three skills for a rehabilitation specialist include rehabilitation, patients and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a community health counselor are social work, behavioral health, and patients.

Rehabilitation specialist vs community health counselor overview

Rehabilitation SpecialistCommunity Health Counselor
Yearly salary$42,934$43,304
Hourly rate$20.64$20.82
Growth rate11%9%
Number of jobs29,177131,804
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4541
Years of experience124

What does a rehabilitation specialist do?

Rehabilitation specialists are professionals who are responsible for helping individuals with physical and mental disabilities to reintegrate into society and live independently. These specialists must assist their clients in finding the type of work they could do with their disability and prepare them for their interview. They are required to provide a basic explanation about the medical or mental health condition to their clients. Rehabilitation specialists must also collaborate with other professionals to assist with rehabilitation exercises.

What does a community health counselor do?

A community health counselor typically provides health and welfare support to the disadvantaged members of a community. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach out to community members, coordinating with schools and other institutions, and building positive relationships with the communities that they serve. They may also provide counseling sessions to individuals of all ages, conduct observations and assessments, perform interventions, and identify any signs of abuse or neglect, reporting to the authorities right away. Furthermore, they may refer families or individuals to other social services unit if necessary.

Rehabilitation specialist vs community health counselor salary

Rehabilitation specialists and community health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rehabilitation SpecialistCommunity Health Counselor
Average salary$42,934$43,304
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $62,000Between $29,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityCleveland, OHSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyPrudential BankApple
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between rehabilitation specialist and community health counselor education

There are a few differences between a rehabilitation specialist and a community health counselor in terms of educational background:

Rehabilitation SpecialistCommunity Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Rehabilitation specialist vs community health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between rehabilitation specialists' and community health counselors' demographics:

Rehabilitation SpecialistCommunity Health Counselor
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 33.0% Female, 67.0%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage21%15%

Differences between rehabilitation specialist and community health counselor duties and responsibilities

Rehabilitation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of ISP goals and objectives.
  • Utilize extensive administrative, CPR, first aid, and medical equipment training as needed.
  • Encourage and assist patients to perform specific activities of daily living (ADL's).
  • Prepare and participate in semi and annual meetings, ISP's and day hab plans.
  • Resolve issues with the clients that create a barrier to the successful completion of their IPE.
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Community health counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide group and individual therapy along with social service coordination for patients in short term stabilization psychiatric unit.
  • Train in medication administration, therapeutic holds and CPR.
  • Maintain cleanliness of home provide assistance with cleaning rooms and common areas.
  • Train in MNT, TCI, first aide and CPR with several other essential trainings.
  • Complete insurance verification information for Medicaid participants.
  • Maintain caseload paperwork in accordance with Georgia Medicaid requirements.
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Rehabilitation specialist vs community health counselor skills

Common rehabilitation specialist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 24%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Social Work, 4%
Common community health counselor skills
  • Social Work, 19%
  • Behavioral Health, 17%
  • Patients, 17%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 3%

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