Post job

Rehabilitation technician vs rehab technician

The differences between rehabilitation technicians and rehab technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a rehabilitation technician has an average salary of $29,533, which is higher than the $28,505 average annual salary of a rehab technician.

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

Rehabilitation technician vs rehab technician overview

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehab Technician
Yearly salary$29,533$28,505
Hourly rate$14.20$13.70
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs31,19627,969
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4339
Years of experience--

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 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.

Rehabilitation technician vs rehab technician salary

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehab Technician
Average salary$29,533$28,505
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonColorado
Best paying companyLawrence General HospitalUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between rehabilitation technician and rehab technician education

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehab Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Virginia

Rehabilitation technician vs rehab technician demographics

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehab Technician
Average age4339
Gender ratioMale, 31.0% Female, 69.0%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between rehabilitation technician and rehab 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.
  • 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

Rehabilitation technician vs rehab technician skills

Common rehabilitation technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • Physical Therapy, 12%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Occupational Therapy, 4%
Common rehab technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Physical Therapy, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs