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Rehabilitation technician vs certified medical technician

The differences between rehabilitation technicians and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $29,533 average annual salary of a rehabilitation technician.

The top three skills for a rehabilitation technician include patients, rehabilitation and physical therapy. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Rehabilitation technician vs certified medical technician overview

Rehabilitation TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$29,533$38,859
Hourly rate$14.20$18.68
Growth rate24%5%
Number of jobs31,196164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4344
Years of experience-12

What does a rehabilitation technician do?

A rehabilitation technician is responsible for assisting therapists and other medical personnel on supporting the patients in their daily activities and physical therapy sessions. Rehabilitation technicians provide high-quality care services for the patients by administering medications, accompanying them on medical appointments, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of all equipment and facilities to prevent hazards within the premises. They may also perform administrative and clerical duties such as updating patients' information on the database, writing reports, processing payments for medical procedures, and maintaining medical charts for reference.

What does a certified medical technician do?

Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.

Rehabilitation technician vs certified medical technician salary

Rehabilitation technicians and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rehabilitation TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$29,533$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WADenton, TX
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyLawrence General HospitalFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between rehabilitation technician and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a rehabilitation technician and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Rehabilitation TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorKinesiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Connecticut

Rehabilitation technician vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between rehabilitation technicians' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Rehabilitation TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 31.0% Female, 69.0%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between rehabilitation technician and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Rehabilitation technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage organization and cleanliness of therapy room and equipment.
  • Record vital signs and assist patients in performing their ADL's as directed by medical or nursing staff.
  • Assist patients with neurological conditions with different mobility training, ADL training, and strengthening exercises.
  • Assist with the modification of therapy plans, assist with manual stretching and traction of patients.
  • Prepare patients for electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, and ultrasounds.
  • Assist in operating a physical therapy facility by helping patients improve their movement, stamina, coordination, and intellectual capacity.
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Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
  • Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
  • Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
  • Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
  • Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.
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Rehabilitation technician vs certified medical technician skills

Common rehabilitation technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • Physical Therapy, 12%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Occupational Therapy, 4%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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