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Residential specialist vs living specialist

The differences between residential specialists and living specialists 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 specialist and a living specialist. Additionally, a living specialist has an average salary of $36,759, which is higher than the $33,451 average annual salary of a residential specialist.

The top three skills for a residential specialist include mental health, crisis intervention and CPR. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Residential specialist vs living specialist overview

Residential SpecialistLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$33,451$36,759
Hourly rate$16.08$17.67
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs49,46749,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a residential specialist do?

The residential specialist job is to provide quality support services to consumers that enhance physical, emotional, intellectual, vocational, communication, and social skills according to the individual's needs, abilities, and choices. Their duties and responsibilities include following the guidelines given by their agencies and assisting clients as needed according to their daily plan and schedule.

What does a living specialist do?

A living specialist is a person who is responsible for assisting and guiding individuals that have difficulties caring for themselves. They are the person who helps them in doing household chores and guiding them throughout the cleaning process. This career is an important position in society because it provides care for those who are in need.

Residential specialist vs living specialist salary

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

Residential SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average salary$33,451$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyTerros Health
Best paying industryNon ProfitsNon Profits

Differences between residential specialist and living specialist education

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

Residential SpecialistLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Binghamton

Residential specialist vs living specialist demographics

Here are the differences between residential specialists' and living specialists' demographics:

Residential SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential specialist and living specialist duties and responsibilities

Residential specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Dispense medication, maintain all certification in CPR, first aid, and other educational and licensing requirements.
  • Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for which care is provided.
  • Assist residents with their activities of daily living (ADL).
  • Provide a proactive therapeutic approach to prevent or deescalate any crisis situation per TCI regulations.
  • Help Alzheimer's residents with activities of daily living such as, bathing, brushing teeth, feeding, and activities.
  • Show more

Living specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Conduct comprehensive care assessments to determine client eligibility for Medicaid fund home health assistance.
  • Provide education and vocational counseling for the individual and/or their family members and significant others to ensure healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation.
  • Collaborate with community health councils and other community agencies to provide programs that enhance community awareness of health and safety.

Residential specialist vs living specialist skills

Common residential specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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