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Home health physical therapist assistant vs rehab technician

The differences between home health physical therapist assistants and rehab technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a home health physical therapist assistant has an average salary of $51,119, which is higher than the $28,505 average annual salary of a rehab technician.

The top three skills for a home health physical therapist assistant include home health, patient care and physical therapy. The most important skills for a rehab technician are patients, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

Home health physical therapist assistant vs rehab technician overview

Home Health Physical Therapist AssistantRehab Technician
Yearly salary$51,119$28,505
Hourly rate$24.58$13.70
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs136,92227,969
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a home health physical therapist assistant do?

Home health physical therapist assistants are skilled professionals who are responsible for assisting the physical therapist in performing physical therapy in homecare settings. These assistants are required to follow the treatment plan that is set by the physical therapist while providing aid to patients in active and passive exercises. They must observe and record the response of patients to the treatment as well as changes in their condition. Home health physical therapist assistants must also participate in staff conferences and committees when necessary.

What does a rehab technician do?

A rehab technician's role is to assist physical therapists and patients in a hospital or similar facility. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around gathering a patient's personal information and medical history, escorting them to corresponding rooms, and conducting initial tests and assessments. It is also essential to maintain records of all transactions, updating medical accounts promptly and accurately. Furthermore, a rehab technician may also perform basic treatments under the supervision of a physical therapist. There are also instances when they have to sanitize and clean therapy equipment, all in adherence to the facility's safety regulations and policies.

Home health physical therapist assistant vs rehab technician salary

Home health physical therapist assistants and rehab technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Home Health Physical Therapist AssistantRehab Technician
Average salary$51,119$28,505
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $73,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Colorado
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between home health physical therapist assistant and rehab technician education

There are a few differences between a home health physical therapist assistant and a rehab technician in terms of educational background:

Home Health Physical Therapist AssistantRehab Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPhysical TherapyKinesiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Virginia

Home health physical therapist assistant vs rehab technician demographics

Here are the differences between home health physical therapist assistants' and rehab technicians' demographics:

Home Health Physical Therapist AssistantRehab Technician
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between home health physical therapist assistant and rehab technician duties and responsibilities

Home health physical therapist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage a diverse caseload including, but not limit to CVA's, cardiac care, Alzheimer's and sub acute orthopedics
  • Help oversee patient exercises and therapeutic mechanical traction.
  • Develop a positive relationship with client through constant companionship and therapeutic walking.
  • Revoke basic physical activity in many depress clients by providing high quality companionship and exercise assistance.
  • Practice specialized post-orthopedic surgery recovery and rehabilitation.
  • Provide care to Alzheimer patient, ensuring the proper administration of prescriptions and physician care instructions.
  • Show more

Rehab technician example responsibilities.

  • Make rounds for walkers and wheelchairs for patients.
  • Assist therapist with transfers, monitoring of splints, hot packs, and modalities.
  • Prepare patients for therapy sessions and assist patients to put on devices such as braces and splints.
  • Maintain and clean medical equipment, interact with staff and patients, and occasionally cover the reception desk.Skills UsedCNA and CPR
  • Provide nursing and orthopedic patient care for stroke patients, assisting with rehabilitation, medication and recovery knowledge.
  • Assist physical therapists in the rehabilitation of patients by providing exercise programs and proper treatment for healthy injury recovery.
  • Show more

Home health physical therapist assistant vs rehab technician skills

Common home health physical therapist assistant skills
  • Home Health, 82%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • Physical Therapy, 6%
  • Physical Therapy Treatment, 1%
  • Community Resources, 1%
  • Health Aides, 0%
Common rehab technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Physical Therapy, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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