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Rehabilitation technician vs rehabilitation aide

The differences between rehabilitation technicians and rehabilitation aides 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 $28,284 average annual salary of a rehabilitation aide.

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

Rehabilitation technician vs rehabilitation aide overview

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Yearly salary$29,533$28,284
Hourly rate$14.20$13.60
Growth rate24%24%
Number of jobs31,19642,701
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 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.

Rehabilitation technician vs rehabilitation aide salary

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Average salary$29,533$28,284
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $22,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WALoveland, CO
Highest paying stateWashingtonColorado
Best paying companyLawrence General HospitalLifespan
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between rehabilitation technician and rehabilitation aide education

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Rehabilitation technician vs rehabilitation aide demographics

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

Rehabilitation TechnicianRehabilitation Aide
Average age4339
Gender ratioMale, 31.0% Female, 69.0%Male, 27.2% Female, 72.8%
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, 6.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between rehabilitation technician and rehabilitation aide 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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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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Rehabilitation technician vs rehabilitation aide skills

Common rehabilitation technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • Physical Therapy, 12%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Occupational Therapy, 4%
Common rehabilitation aide skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Rehabilitation, 18%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • Data Entry, 4%

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