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Staff therapist vs clinical therapist

The differences between staff therapists and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical therapist has an average salary of $57,864, which is higher than the $52,147 average annual salary of a staff therapist.

The top three skills for a staff therapist include patients, individual therapy and mental health. The most important skills for a clinical therapist are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Staff therapist vs clinical therapist overview

Staff TherapistClinical Therapist
Yearly salary$52,147$57,864
Hourly rate$25.07$27.82
Growth rate14%17%
Number of jobs101,575136,898
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4641
Years of experience12-

What does a staff therapist do?

A staff therapist is someone who assists in the treatment of patients using electrical stimulation, exercise, and other means of electrotherapy to regain their bodily functions. The core skills that a staff therapist should possess to accomplish their responsibilities include a keen eye for details and excellent mathematical and problem-solving skills. The job's education requirements include completing a physical therapy program and possessing a bachelor's degree in medical technician, physical work, occupational therapy, or a related field.

What does a clinical therapist do?

A Clinical Therapist works with patients to help identify, examine, and treat mental health and emotional issues or disorders. They counsel individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, as well as observe clients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior.

Staff therapist vs clinical therapist salary

Staff therapists and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Staff TherapistClinical Therapist
Average salary$52,147$57,864
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $77,000Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySanta Barbara, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyStanford UniversityCVS Health
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between staff therapist and clinical therapist education

There are a few differences between a staff therapist and a clinical therapist in terms of educational background:

Staff TherapistClinical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianSocial Work
Most common collegeBoston UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Staff therapist vs clinical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between staff therapists' and clinical therapists' demographics:

Staff TherapistClinical Therapist
Average age4641
Gender ratioMale, 37.3% Female, 62.7%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%12%

Differences between staff therapist and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Staff therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Lead RRT position involves direct resident care such as ventilator set up, changes, weaning, and maintaining.
  • Provide high-quality patient care in all areas of the facility including ICU, CCU, PACU, NICU and ER.
  • Chart record of patient therapy; teach patients proper use and administration of respiratory medication such as MDI s and spacers.
  • Conduct weekly Medicare, Medicaid and private pay reports, submit quality indicator and MDS reports and metrics for QA/QC reports.
  • Document resident progress using MDS weekly, quarterly, annually and significant changes regarding therapeutic activity pattern.
  • Show more

Clinical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
  • Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
  • Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
  • Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Staff therapist vs clinical therapist skills

Common staff therapist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Individual Therapy, 16%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Group Therapy, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%
  • Physical Therapy, 3%
Common clinical therapist skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Mental Health, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Community Resources, 3%

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