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Residential advisor vs treatment specialist

The differences between residential advisors and treatment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, which is higher than the $33,593 average annual salary of a residential advisor.

The top three skills for a residential advisor include patrol, substance abuse and behavior management. The most important skills for a treatment specialist are social work, mental health, and rehabilitation.

Residential advisor vs treatment specialist overview

Residential AdvisorTreatment Specialist
Yearly salary$33,593$53,673
Hourly rate$16.15$25.80
Growth rate12%-
Number of jobs47,15067,604
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age2644
Years of experience-4

What does a residential advisor do?

Residential advisors are responsible for coordinating activities in various residential buildings and facilities, such as group homes and dormitories. They perform various tasks that include ordering supplies, determining the need for maintenance and repair, and assigning rooms. Residential advisors may help residents with solving their problems or connect them to counseling services or resources. Also, they are responsible for providing first aid or seeking medical assistance in times of emergency, and mediating conflicts between residents. They are also expected to implement rules and regulations for the orderly and smooth operation of residential facilities.

What does a treatment specialist do?

The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Residential advisor vs treatment specialist salary

Residential advisors and treatment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential AdvisorTreatment Specialist
Average salary$33,593$53,673
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $34,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityEdison, NJWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaAlaska
Best paying companyDynamic Educational Systems, Inc.Delaware State Government
Best paying industryManufacturingNon Profits

Differences between residential advisor and treatment specialist education

There are a few differences between a residential advisor and a treatment specialist in terms of educational background:

Residential AdvisorTreatment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeHoward UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Residential advisor vs treatment specialist demographics

Here are the differences between residential advisors' and treatment specialists' demographics:

Residential AdvisorTreatment Specialist
Average age2644
Gender ratioMale, 42.3% Female, 57.7%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between residential advisor and treatment specialist duties and responsibilities

Residential advisor example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Assist medical and clinical staff who cares for patients admit to a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
  • Help with activities of daily life, such as groceries shopping.
  • Check mail, shopping for groceries and handling and maintaining individual's money.
  • Provide training and administer first aid and emergency medical procedures, such as CPR.
  • Lead staff member on cottage and assume cottage manager duties when RAS is not present.
  • Show more

Treatment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Med aid, CPR, and a certified.
  • Med train, CPR certify.
  • Provide administrative oversight to several projects, including a provider incentive program and the drafting of the Medicaid request for qualifications.
  • Work with students within the classroom and develop interventions to increase progress towards IEP goals.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Residential advisor vs treatment specialist skills

Common residential advisor skills
  • Patrol, 10%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Independent Living, 5%
Common treatment specialist skills
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%

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