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Residential assistant vs social worker assistant

The differences between residential assistants and social workers assistant can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a residential assistant and a social worker assistant. Additionally, a social worker assistant has an average salary of $37,542, which is higher than the $30,918 average annual salary of a residential assistant.

The top three skills for a residential assistant include direct care, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a social worker assistant are social work, patients, and public assistance.

Residential assistant vs social worker assistant overview

Residential AssistantSocial Worker Assistant
Yearly salary$30,918$37,542
Hourly rate$14.86$18.05
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs91,326115,098
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a residential assistant do?

A residential assistant is in charge of overseeing the living conditions of students in a university or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for assisting students and making them feel at ease within the dormitory or campus community. Moreover, a residential assistant must respond to inquiries and concerns, handle and settle any issues or problems, take part in organizing activities that are beneficial to the students, and keep them informed on all community-related updates. Furthermore, it is crucial to adhere to and implement the campus rules and regulations at all times, maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

What does a social worker assistant do?

A social worker assistant is in charge of performing support tasks for social workers in the joint effort to assist disadvantaged families in communities. Their responsibilities include preparing and processing documentation, managing schedules, arranging appointments with clients and external parties, handling calls and correspondence, maintaining records, and running errands on behalf of staff. Furthermore, a social worker assistant may reach out to families to identify their needs, conduct interviews and assessments, facilitate activities, and monitor the progress of families or individuals, referring them to other agencies as needed.

Residential assistant vs social worker assistant salary

Residential assistants and social workers assistant have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential AssistantSocial Worker Assistant
Average salary$30,918$37,542
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $37,000Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of CaliforniaMinnesota State Fair
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between residential assistant and social worker assistant education

There are a few differences between a residential assistant and a social worker assistant in terms of educational background:

Residential AssistantSocial Worker Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonSUNY at Binghamton

Residential assistant vs social worker assistant demographics

Here are the differences between residential assistants' and social workers assistant' demographics:

Residential AssistantSocial Worker Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.1% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential assistant and social worker assistant duties and responsibilities

Residential assistant example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Ensure the safety and well being of all inpatient residents, following standards learned in training, certify in CPR.
  • Assist children with disabilities with ADL's, activities, education, employment, medication administration and integration into the community.
  • Assist clients with ADL's including but not limit to brushing teeth, bed bath, shaving, nail care etc.
  • Assist management and other coordinators as needed.
  • Maintain certifications with medications CPR and crisis management training.
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Social worker assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the clinic's Medicaid enrollment process and assist clients with their application process under proper guidance.
  • Assist patients in coping with their lifestyle changes and overall help patients achieve optimum independence and reduce re-hospitalizations.
  • Case manage in-district and out-of-district students with emotional disabilities, autism, other health impair and physical disabilities.
  • Refer patients and their families to relevant community resources and coordinate with social services at other community agencies.
  • Maintain accurate records to comply with ESRD and CMS regulations.
  • Participate in monthly interdisciplinary team meetings regarding patient care.
  • Show more

Residential assistant vs social worker assistant skills

Common residential assistant skills
  • Direct Care, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Meal Preparation, 9%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Household Chores, 5%
Common social worker assistant skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Public Assistance, 11%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%

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