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Treatment coordinator vs recreation therapist

The differences between treatment coordinators and recreation therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a treatment coordinator and a recreation therapist. Additionally, a recreation therapist has an average salary of $55,992, which is higher than the $41,699 average annual salary of a treatment coordinator.

The top three skills for a treatment coordinator include patients, customer service and financial arrangements. The most important skills for a recreation therapist are patients, CTRS, and mental health.

Treatment coordinator vs recreation therapist overview

Treatment CoordinatorRecreation Therapist
Yearly salary$41,699$55,992
Hourly rate$20.05$26.92
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs19,51054,263
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a treatment coordinator do?

A Treatment Coordinator is responsible for assisting the doctors and other medical professionals in performing treatment procedures and administering medications for the patients. Treatment Coordinators manage administrative duties, such as scheduling medical appointments, discussing the treatment plans to the patients, updating medical information on the database, and processing payments for the medical procedures. They also coordinate with the insurance agencies to verify the patients' eligibility and information and file documents as necessary. A Treatment Coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in maintaining databases and ensuring that all medical forms are organized and safely stored.

What does a recreation therapist do?

A recreation therapist is responsible for supporting the patients' physical and mental wellness by organizing therapeutic programs and activities, depending on the patients' condition and existing treatment plans. Recreation therapists work with other medical health professionals for advice and medication needs. They also track the patients' progress, maintain a medical chart, and report any updates to the physicians and patients' family members. A recreation therapist manages the resources and materials for the activities and ensures the safety and security of the participants.

Treatment coordinator vs recreation therapist salary

Treatment coordinators and recreation therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Treatment CoordinatorRecreation Therapist
Average salary$41,699$55,992
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $54,000Between $36,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaCalifornia
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupCottage Health
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between treatment coordinator and recreation therapist education

There are a few differences between a treatment coordinator and a recreation therapist in terms of educational background:

Treatment CoordinatorRecreation Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorPsychologyRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Treatment coordinator vs recreation therapist demographics

Here are the differences between treatment coordinators' and recreation therapists' demographics:

Treatment CoordinatorRecreation Therapist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 16.0% Female, 84.0%Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between treatment coordinator and recreation therapist duties and responsibilities

Treatment coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage festival hospitality for VIP suites, catering spaces, and award presentations.
  • Facilitate billing with regards to HMO's, PPO's, manage care, and worker's compensation.
  • Manage patient confidentiality in relation to HIPAA when sending information to refer offices.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Visit patient rooms daily to evaluate for cleanliness, comfort, technical issues and food service.
  • Complete all HMO and Medicaid/care management, documentation and contact.
  • Show more

Recreation therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Evaluate assigned patients to assess and document the need for therapeutic recreational interventions in order to attain rehabilitation goals.
  • Obtain ABG samples when need, EKG analysis, and oxygen therapy to patients.
  • Support the CTRS in planning and implementation of in- house events and community outings.
  • Organize and facilitate programs for TBI survivors and their families.
  • Use patient prefer music to apply NMT protocols into sessions.
  • Show more

Treatment coordinator vs recreation therapist skills

Common treatment coordinator skills
  • Patients, 36%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Financial Arrangements, 6%
  • Treatment Options, 5%
  • Mental Health, 4%
  • Social Work, 4%
Common recreation therapist skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • CTRS, 11%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • CPR, 4%

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