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Health technician vs behavioral technician

The differences between health technicians and behavioral technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a health technician has an average salary of $37,873, which is higher than the $33,282 average annual salary of a behavioral technician.

The top three skills for a health technician include patients, excellent interpersonal and customer service. The most important skills for a behavioral technician are autism, applied behavior analysis, and behavior analysis.

Health technician vs behavioral technician overview

Health TechnicianBehavioral Technician
Yearly salary$37,873$33,282
Hourly rate$18.21$16.00
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs110,27745,287
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3434
Years of experience--

What does a health technician do?

A health technician is responsible for supporting medical operations in a health care facility by performing administrative and clerical duties, ensuring that the organization provides the highest quality care service to the patients. Health technicians process patients' information, manage their medical payments, monitor their conditions as instructed by physicians, maintain an organized medical chart, administer medication, and assist in conducting medical procedures. They also check the adequacy of stock inventories and write request reports, as well as inspecting the cleanliness of all the medical tools and equipment during operations.

What does a behavioral technician do?

A behavioral technician is responsible for supporting patients to overcome their behavior problems and difficulties. Behavioral technicians evaluate the patient's condition through counseling and administer behavioral treatment plans according to the patients' needs. They also coordinate with other physicians and mental health professionals for medications and more serious medical support as needed. A behavioral technician assists the patients in their daily activities, observe their social and personal behaviors, write progress reports, and develop engaging activities that would help them bring back a healthy lifestyle and growth.

Health technician vs behavioral technician salary

Health technicians and behavioral technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health TechnicianBehavioral Technician
Average salary$37,873$33,282
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $51,000Between $24,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASomerville, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyMetaMissouri State University
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between health technician and behavioral technician education

There are a few differences between a health technician and a behavioral technician in terms of educational background:

Health TechnicianBehavioral Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorNursingPsychology
Most common collegeEmory UniversityJohns Hopkins University

Health technician vs behavioral technician demographics

Here are the differences between health technicians' and behavioral technicians' demographics:

Health TechnicianBehavioral Technician
Average age3434
Gender ratioMale, 30.9% Female, 69.1%Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between health technician and behavioral technician duties and responsibilities

Health technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage medical and administrative records for all patients assign to clinic area to assure accurate care and patient confidentiality.
  • Supervise labs, diets, schedule radiology procedures, EKG's, respiratory, and medical tasks for patients.
  • Can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and/or initiate appropriate emergency alert notifications.
  • Administer ABA therapy for children with autism and provide support for other technicians when not with own clients.
  • Assist providers in direct physical examinations, minor procedures, emergency care to include CPR, and other clinical duties.
  • Assist children with autism spectrum disorders in learning life still and helping them transition successfully in all aspects of their lives.
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Behavioral technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Train in CPR and restraint techniques, as well as behavioral training to detect the precursors to behavioral issues.
  • Experience with individuals of all ages affect by autism and other behavioral, developmental or communication disorders
  • Implement behavioral support plans provide and produce by apply behavior analysts for individual consumers diagnose with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate psycho-social education groups with interventions used but not limit to motivational interviewing, mental rehabilitation and think processes.
  • Provide observation, documentation and communication of patient behavioral and verbal responses /reactions between patients and between patients and staff.
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Health technician vs behavioral technician skills

Common health technician skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
Common behavioral technician skills
  • Autism, 18%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 13%
  • Behavior Analysis, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, 5%
  • Patients, 4%

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