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Residential specialist vs youth care specialist

The differences between residential specialists and youth care 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 youth care specialist. Additionally, a youth care specialist has an average salary of $38,955, 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 youth care specialist are customer service, patients, and CPR.

Residential specialist vs youth care specialist overview

Residential SpecialistYouth Care Specialist
Yearly salary$33,451$38,955
Hourly rate$16.08$18.73
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs49,467133,042
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
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 youth care specialist do?

Youth care specialists are social experts who coordinate programs for children and young people who need care while being away from their own families for some reason. These specialists are required to maintain a safe environment in the community so that children will feel safe, cared for, and nurture. They must lead various seminars for youths about topics such as job readiness, financial literacy, and higher education. They must also communicate the concerns and other important information to a child's assigned social worker and provide back-up support to case managers if needed.

Residential specialist vs youth care specialist salary

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

Residential SpecialistYouth Care Specialist
Average salary$33,451$38,955
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $24,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAAnnapolis, MD
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaryland
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyDelaware State Government
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between residential specialist and youth care specialist education

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

Residential SpecialistYouth Care Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Binghamton

Residential specialist vs youth care specialist demographics

Here are the differences between residential specialists' and youth care specialists' demographics:

Residential SpecialistYouth Care Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential specialist and youth care 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

Youth care specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Transport FEMA trailers and levele foundation using bulldozers and bobcats.
  • Maintain current credentials and certifications as required such as such as CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Provide everyday living activity for autistic individuals, pass medicine, dress patients, help with communication, and restrain patients.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Residential specialist vs youth care specialist skills

Common residential specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common youth care specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Patients, 13%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%

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