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Social services specialist vs residential specialist

The differences between social services specialists and residential 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 social services specialist and a residential specialist. Additionally, a social services specialist has an average salary of $48,359, which is higher than the $33,451 average annual salary of a residential specialist.

The top three skills for a social services specialist include social work, patients and substance abuse. The most important skills for a residential specialist are mental health, crisis intervention, and CPR.

Social services specialist vs residential specialist overview

Social Services SpecialistResidential Specialist
Yearly salary$48,359$33,451
Hourly rate$23.25$16.08
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs154,02249,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a social services specialist do?

A Social Services Specialist provides social services to children and adults in communities, facilities, institutions, or hospitals. They develop and implement specialized treatment programs.

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.

Social services specialist vs residential specialist salary

Social services specialists and residential specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social Services SpecialistResidential Specialist
Average salary$48,359$33,451
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $65,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew MexicoCalifornia
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryInsuranceNon Profits

Differences between social services specialist and residential specialist education

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

Social Services SpecialistResidential Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Social services specialist vs residential specialist demographics

Here are the differences between social services specialists' and residential specialists' demographics:

Social Services SpecialistResidential Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social services specialist and residential specialist duties and responsibilities

Social services specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide comprehensive case management to DCFS clients and their families to achieve case goals as outlined in the client service plan.
  • Provide supervision to social services assistant and MSW intern.
  • Retain potential clients base on the strength of their SSDI claim.
  • Participate in group staffing to discuss the best interest of children and families who have open cases with DSS.
  • Plan and execute case work activities to expedite safety first, permanence and well-being of child in DSS custody.
  • Develop working relationships with other DHS umbrella agencies.
  • Show more

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

Social services specialist vs residential specialist skills

Common social services specialist skills
  • Social Work, 25%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Term Care, 7%
  • MDS, 6%
Common residential specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%

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