A rehabilitation aide is a person who helps other medical personnel with patient care. Aides assist therapists in providing care and treatment while also assisting in the maintenance of a safe and productive rehabilitation environment. The type of therapy, such as physical, occupational, or recreational therapy, determines the specific job duties of a rehabilitation aide. Hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities all have aide positions.
Physical therapy rehabilitation aides assist physiotherapists in conducting patient sessions. The majority of the time, the job entails assisting patients in increasing their mobility or lessening the effects of a disability. An aide might help a patient learn to walk or move limbs as part of regular exercises in this situation. Under the supervision of the therapist, a rehabilitation aide also administers treatments such as ultrasound or electric stimulation. The aide can also help by keeping track of each patient’s progress and the results of each session.
Occupational therapy rehabilitation aides help people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities improve their quality of life. This can range from assisting a patient with a new prosthesis in learning to drive to assisting an autistic person in entering the workforce. Aides assist occupational therapists in ensuring that patients get the most out of each session. Some of the responsibilities are physical in nature, while others, such as providing encouragement, require more emotional support. There are also administrative duties, such as keeping track of progress and scheduling additional therapy sessions.
A recreational therapy rehabilitation aide assists physically and mentally disabled people in participating in recreational activities. The aide helps the recreational therapist plan and carry out social activities like going to the mall or eating at a restaurant. In addition, the aide may plan games, dances, art projects, or other activities. The rehabilitation aide’s job entails both supporting the therapist’s work and supervising the recreational therapy patients. Positions for recreational therapy aides are more common in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, where such activities are a regular part of life.
Physically fit rehabilitation aides must be able to lift and move patients or clients with limited mobility. Aides should expect to stand, lift, stoop, or do other physical labor for the majority of their shift. An aide must also be accommodating and compassionate, as well as a good team player who can easily communicate with both patients and medical personnel. However, these demanding jobs are often low-paying, with rehabilitation aides earning some of the lowest wages in the healthcare industry. While some aide positions only require a high school diploma, employers may prefer aides who have earned a college diploma, particularly in health or rehabilitation sciences.