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Therapy technician vs monitor technician

The differences between therapy technicians and monitor technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a monitor technician has an average salary of $35,460, which is higher than the $28,943 average annual salary of a therapy technician.

The top three skills for a therapy technician include patients, rehabilitation and CPR. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.

Therapy technician vs monitor technician overview

Therapy TechnicianMonitor Technician
Yearly salary$28,943$35,460
Hourly rate$13.91$17.05
Growth rate24%10%
Number of jobs36,36056,963
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4345
Years of experience-2

What does a therapy technician do?

A therapy technician is responsible for supporting therapists in providing the highest quality care services for the patients, administering treatment plans, and guiding patients to full recovery. Therapy technicians also perform administrative duties, such as updating patients' information on the database, monitoring patients' condition, reviewing medical charts, processing payments for therapy procedures, and performing medical examinations under the supervision of medical professionals. They operate various therapy equipment, inspect the performance of the machinery, and ask for maintenance support for repairs or replacement as needed.

What does a monitor technician do?

A monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.

Therapy technician vs monitor technician salary

Therapy technicians and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Therapy TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average salary$28,943$35,460
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $37,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAMedford, OR
Highest paying stateWashingtonUtah
Best paying companySeattle Cancer Care AllianceMLK Community Healthcare
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between therapy technician and monitor technician education

There are a few differences between a therapy technician and a monitor technician in terms of educational background:

Therapy TechnicianMonitor Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorKinesiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborDuke University

Therapy technician vs monitor technician demographics

Here are the differences between therapy technicians' and monitor technicians' demographics:

Therapy TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 28.6% Female, 71.4%Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between therapy technician and monitor technician duties and responsibilities

Therapy technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform basic living care for patients and assist with exercises under supervision of a rehabilitation team member.
  • Provide patient assistance with rehabilitation protocol with appropriate education and technique while monitoring vital signs and effects of treatment.
  • Direct patients to need areas with crutches, wheel chairs, walkers, canes etc.
  • Work with the physical and occupational therapists to guide patients through prescribe exercise program efficiently and safely.
  • Prepare materials for assessments and provide assistance to individuals through hands-on methods and direct contact observations by assisting the rehabilitation supervisor.
  • Attend professional development workshops in augmentative communication devices, sign language, and skill integration.

Monitor technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac treadmill testing equipment and record data.
  • Administer care to patients in a LATC setting, support with ambulation and rehabilitation procedure.
  • Ensure telemetry boxes are returned from the floors when patients are discharge or transfer to ICU.
  • Work in a very large hospital system doing EEG's on premature infants to geriatric patients.
  • Monitor heart rhythm patterns, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns and ECG interval measurements utilizing telemetry equipment.
  • Show more

Therapy technician vs monitor technician skills

Common therapy technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Rehabilitation, 14%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Patient Safety, 6%
  • Occupational Therapy, 5%
  • Physical Therapy, 5%
Common monitor technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • EKG, 12%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Cardiac Rhythms, 6%
  • Arrhythmia, 4%

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