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Rehab technician vs rehabilitation aide

The differences between rehab technicians and rehabilitation aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rehab technician has an average salary of $28,505, which is higher than the $28,284 average annual salary of a rehabilitation aide.

The top three skills for a rehab technician include patients, physical therapy and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a rehabilitation aide are patients, rehabilitation, and CPR.

Rehab technician vs rehabilitation aide overview

Rehab TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Yearly salary$28,505$28,284
Hourly rate$13.70$13.60
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs27,96942,701
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

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.

What does a rehabilitation aide do?

A rehabilitation aide is responsible for assisting patients with injuries, mental disorders, and illnesses in their treatment plans and medications. Rehabilitation aides monitor the patients' progress and update attending physicians regarding their conditions. They also prepare treatment rooms, including the materials and equipment for the medical procedures, and discuss the process with the patients. A rehabilitation aide must be highly organizational, especially in attending to different patients' needs and ensuring the safety and security of all facilities and assets.

Rehab technician vs rehabilitation aide salary

Rehab technicians and rehabilitation aides have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rehab TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Average salary$28,505$28,284
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $36,000Between $22,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CALoveland, CO
Highest paying stateColoradoColorado
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyLifespan
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between rehab technician and rehabilitation aide education

There are a few differences between a rehab technician and a rehabilitation aide in terms of educational background:

Rehab TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Rehab technician vs rehabilitation aide demographics

Here are the differences between rehab technicians' and rehabilitation aides' demographics:

Rehab TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 33.7% Female, 66.3%Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between rehab technician and rehabilitation aide duties and responsibilities

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.
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Rehabilitation aide example responsibilities.

  • Manage inventory of supplies and splints for the department.
  • Manage organization and cleanliness of therapy room and equipment.
  • Help patients who used wheelchairs and walkers.
  • Assist patients with ADL's, collect lab specimens, perform EKG's, occasionally perform duty as a patient sitter.
  • Assist physical therapists and occupational hand therapist in implementing rehabilitation programs for patients in an outpatient orthopedics and hand therapy clinic.
  • Assist OTR/L in patient education and DME distribution at SNF
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Rehab technician vs rehabilitation aide skills

Common rehab technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Physical Therapy, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%
Common rehabilitation aide skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • Data Entry, 4%

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