Long term care social worker vs patient care technician

The differences between long term care social workers and patient care technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a long term care social worker has an average salary of $48,296, which is higher than the $32,806 average annual salary of a patient care technician.

The top three skills for a long term care social worker include patient care, nursing home and SNF. The most important skills for a patient care technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.

Long term care social worker vs patient care technician overview

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Patient Care Technician
Yearly salary	$48,296	$32,806
Hourly rate	$23.22	$15.77
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	103,725	167,520
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Average age	45	34
Years of experience	2	-

What does a long term care social worker do?

Long-term care social workers manage the emotional, physical, and mental needs of a person. They are the one who provides and gives aid in order for the person in need to have access to services and health care. This career has a vital role in ensuring that proper care is given in partnership with other professions such as doctors and health workers. They are often seen in a nursing facility, child care, mental institutions, as well as rehabilitation centers.

What does a patient care technician do?

Patient care technicians are medical workers who work in clinics, hospitals, or other medical facilities under the supervision of doctors or other health professionals. They provide assistance to health professionals and patients. They help patients with mobility concerns get into hospital beds, bathrooms, wheelchairs, and more. They also help patients with their physical therapy sessions and other physical needs. They handle patient concerns and communicate these to attending physicians. They may be assigned to administer basic medical procedures such as checking vital signs and collecting samples from patients, among others.

Long term care social worker vs patient care technician salary

Long term care social workers and patient care technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Patient Care Technician
Average salary	$48,296	$32,806
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $65,000	Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Rochester, NH
Highest paying state	-	Vermont
Best paying company	-	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between long term care social worker and patient care technician education

There are a few differences between a long term care social worker and a patient care technician in terms of educational background:

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Patient Care Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Emory University

Long term care social worker vs patient care technician demographics

Here are the differences between long term care social workers' and patient care technicians' demographics:

	Long Term Care Social Worker	Patient Care Technician
Average age	45	34
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 Percentage	13%	15%

Differences between long term care social worker and patient care technician duties and responsibilities

Long term care social worker example responsibilities.

Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Skil care SNF / rehabilitation and ICF LTC residents.
Refer the patient or family member to the local Medicaid office to coordinate with the staff regarding eligibility for Medicaid.
Perform assessments/social history upon admission to better understand the patient's needs and personal circumstances as they relate to their rehabilitation.
Assist patients with passive and active ROM exercises to promote mobility and steady gait.
Analyze psychological / psycho-social evaluations, IEP's, and medical histories within a referral packet to determine eligibility.

Patient care technician example responsibilities.

Manage care and prepare medical records, transcription and supply orders.
Manage daily care of high acuity patients with neurological trauma/disorders and post-surgery.
Qualify to perform patient care responsibilities on catheter patients.
Transport patients using wheelchairs and stretchers and assist patients to ambulate safely.
Assist with transferring patients in and out of wheelchairs, recliners, and stretchers.
Apply protective restraints safely and appropriately, assist in the admission, discharge and transfer of patients as needed.

Long term care social worker vs patient care technician skills

Common long term care social worker skills

Patient Care, 32%
Nursing Home, 18%
SNF, 12%
Vital Signs, 12%
MDS, 9%
Medicaid, 6%

Common patient care technician skills

Patients, 24%
Vital Signs, 9%
Phlebotomy, 7%
CPR, 6%
Direct Patient Care, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Long Term Care Social Worker
Long Term Care Social Worker vs Patient Care Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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