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Social worker assistant vs behavioral assistant

The differences between social workers assistant and behavioral assistants 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 worker assistant and a behavioral assistant. Additionally, a behavioral assistant has an average salary of $39,681, which is higher than the $37,542 average annual salary of a social worker assistant.

The top three skills for a social worker assistant include social work, patients and public assistance. The most important skills for a behavioral assistant are behavioral interventions, mental health, and patients.

Social worker assistant vs behavioral assistant overview

Social Worker AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Yearly salary$37,542$39,681
Hourly rate$18.05$19.08
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs115,09880,685
Job satisfaction53
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

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.

What does a behavioral assistant do?

Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.

Social worker assistant vs behavioral assistant salary

Social workers assistant and behavioral assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social Worker AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average salary$37,542$39,681
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $51,000Between $29,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASanta Maria, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyMinnesota State FairPhysician Affiliate Group of New York
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between social worker assistant and behavioral assistant education

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

Social Worker AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Social worker assistant vs behavioral assistant demographics

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

Social Worker AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.9% Female, 65.1%Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between social worker assistant and behavioral assistant duties and responsibilities

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

Behavioral assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work one-on-one with students as well as small groups as instructed by teacher to help achieve goals outline by the IEP.
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Develop rapport and trust of physicians and patients to assure confidence and execution of therapy plans resulting in successful patient rehabilitation.
  • Apply behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-base methods are used to decrease challenging behaviors and teach skills.
  • Assist BCBA consultants providing comprehensive educational, social, behavioral, and community services to young children on the autism spectrum.
  • Implement modifications outline in IEP.
  • Show more

Social worker assistant vs behavioral assistant skills

Common social worker assistant skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Patients, 14%
  • Public Assistance, 11%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%
Common behavioral assistant skills
  • Behavioral Interventions, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%

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