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Treatment specialist vs program counselor

The differences between treatment specialists and program counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a treatment specialist and a program counselor. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, which is higher than the $43,820 average annual salary of a program counselor.

The top three skills for a treatment specialist include social work, mental health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Treatment specialist vs program counselor overview

Treatment SpecialistProgram Counselor
Yearly salary$53,673$43,820
Hourly rate$25.80$21.07
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs67,604133,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4441
Years of experience44

What does a treatment specialist do?

The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a program counselor do?

A Program Counselor is an essential part of a school's faculty. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure that students are benefiting from the school's educational curriculum. This person is also tasked to help students resolve issues and problems that may hinder any educational progress. They are also part of the disciplinary team intended to instill good morals, ethics, and decency in students. The Program Counselor is one of the teacher or professor who has expertise or has a high educational degree in a particular subject or field.

Treatment specialist vs program counselor salary

Treatment specialists and program counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Treatment SpecialistProgram Counselor
Average salary$53,673$43,820
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $82,000Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyDelaware State GovernmentRussell Sage College
Best paying industryNon ProfitsHealth Care

Differences between treatment specialist and program counselor education

There are a few differences between a treatment specialist and a program counselor in terms of educational background:

Treatment SpecialistProgram Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Treatment specialist vs program counselor demographics

Here are the differences between treatment specialists' and program counselors' demographics:

Treatment SpecialistProgram Counselor
Average age4441
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%15%

Differences between treatment specialist and program counselor duties and responsibilities

Treatment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Med aid, CPR, and a certified.
  • Med train, CPR certify.
  • Provide administrative oversight to several projects, including a provider incentive program and the drafting of the Medicaid request for qualifications.
  • Work with students within the classroom and develop interventions to increase progress towards IEP goals.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Program counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
  • Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
  • Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
  • Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.
  • Show more

Treatment specialist vs program counselor skills

Common treatment specialist skills
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
Common program counselor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • Community Integration, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Medication Administration, 7%

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