Quick Facts
Median Salary$43,333
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+8.38%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Residential Assistant or Advisor works in a residential mental health, long-term care, or substance abuse treatment facility and provides support for patients, including resolving conflicts, helping them adjust to their environment, and alleviating concerns. Performs inspections and assists with move-ins and facility programming.
Core Tasks:
- Communicate with other staff to resolve problems with individual students.
- Observe students to detect and report unusual behavior.
- Provide emergency first aid and summon medical assistance when necessary.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate residence hall staff, including resident assistants, participants in work-study programs, and other student workers.
- Make regular rounds to ensure that residents and areas are safe and secure.
- Mediate interpersonal problems between residents.
- Enforce rules and regulations to ensure the smooth and orderly operation of dormitory programs.
- Determine the need for facility maintenance and repair, and notify appropriate personnel.
- Collaborate with counselors to develop counseling programs that address the needs of individual students.
- Develop and coordinate educational programs for residents.
- Develop program plans for individuals or assist in plan development.
- Provide requested information on students' progress and the development of case plans.
- Administer, coordinate, or recommend disciplinary and corrective actions.
- Confer with medical personnel to better understand the backgrounds and needs of individual residents.
- Answer telephones, and route calls or deliver messages.
- Counsel students in the handling of issues such as family, financial, and educational problems.
- Hold regular meetings with each assigned unit.
- Compile information such as residents' daily activities and the quantities of supplies used to prepare required reports.
- Chaperone group-sponsored trips and social functions.
- Order supplies for facilities.
What to expect as a Residential Assistant / Advisor
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
43% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Residential Assistant / Advisor related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
2217 openings for Residential Assistants / Advisors
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
The career progression is an interactive way to explore careers related to Residential Assistant / Advisor. Click on each career to see its associated salary, job availability, skills, and more.



