How to Be Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 17, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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A Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician is a healthcare professional who works with elderly patients to help them improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. This individual works with a variety of medical professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physicians, to provide rehabilitative care for elderly patients. By helping the elderly maintain their physical and cognitive functions, Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians can improve their quality of life, reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions, and help them to remain independent for as long as possible. Additionally, the specialized therapeutic treatments provided by these professionals can be effective in preventing falls and other injuries that could be caused by poor mobility or balance.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. In order to become a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, you will need to have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete a post-secondary program in gerontology or rehabilitation. You will need to complete a program in gerontology or rehabilitation in order to become a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician. This program should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Obtain certification. You can become a Certified Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician (CGRT) by taking and passing the Geriatric Rehabilitation Technician Certification Examination offered by the National Board of Certification for Medical Technicians (NBCMT).
Find a job. Once you have obtained your certification, you will need to find a job as a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician. You may be able to find employment in a nursing home, rehabilitation center, hospital, or outpatient clinic.
Participate in continuing education. In order to maintain your certification as a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, you will need to participate in continuing education courses every two years.

A Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician is a skilled and qualified healthcare professional who is trained to provide specialized care to elderly and disabled individuals. They must be knowledgeable in a wide range of therapies and treatments that are used to help improve the quality of life and overall health of their elderly and disabled patients. In order to become a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, one must complete extensive training that includes courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pharmacology, gerontology, and rehabilitation therapies.

This training can lead to a certification in Geriatrics Rehabilitation, which is a requirement for employment in a healthcare setting. With this certification, a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician can work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and outpatient clinics. By providing quality care to elderly and disabled individuals, Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians can improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of their patients, as well as increase their mobility and independence.

You may want to check Geriatrics Home Health Nurse, Geriatric Care Facilitator, and Geriatrics Medical Records Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Conduct patient assessments to identify areas of strength and weakness.
Develop and implement individualized rehabilitation plans for elderly patients.
Track patient progress and provide regular updates to families and physicians.
Monitor and adjust treatments as necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Administer medications, treatments and other therapies as prescribed by physicians.
Assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding and ambulating.
Educate patients and family members about the importance of physical and emotional health.
Set up and maintain exercise equipment for geriatric rehabilitation.
Provide emotional support and companionship to elderly patients.
Report any changes in patient condition to supervising physician or nurse.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of geriatric anatomy and physiology
Understanding of the aging process and its effects on the body
Ability to provide patient education and support
Ability to perform patient assessments and develop individualized treatment plans
Experience in developing and implementing exercise programs for geriatric patients
Knowledge of common medical conditions and treatments for the elderly
Familiarity with safety precautions and emergency protocols
Proficiency in using therapy equipment and monitoring patient progress
Ability to communicate effectively with geriatric patients
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals

Being a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician requires a variety of skills and qualities to be successful in the role. One of the most important skills is the ability to understand and empathize with elderly patients. As patients age, they may experience physical, mental, and emotional changes that can make them more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and depression.

A Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician must be able to recognize these changes in patients and provide them with the compassion and care they need. They must also be knowledgeable about geriatric rehabilitation techniques and treatments, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other therapies. Furthermore, they must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.

By possessing these skills, a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician can positively impact their patients lives and help them live as independently and comfortably as possible.

Geriatrics Home Care Specialist, Geriatric Health Care Administrator, and Geriatrics Exercise Physiologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in geriatrics rehabilitation?
How do you ensure that geriatric patients get the best care?
What strategies do you use to motivate geriatric patients to participate in rehabilitation activities?
What challenges have you encountered when working with geriatric patients?
How do you prioritize the needs of geriatric patients?
What have you done to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for geriatric patients?
How do you stay up to date on the latest geriatrics rehabilitation techniques?
How do you build relationships with geriatric patients and their families?
How do you handle difficult situations with geriatric patients or their families?
What do you think is the most important aspect of providing geriatrics rehabilitation services?

Common Tools in Industry

Wheelchair. A device used to help individuals with mobility difficulties move around. (eg: electric wheelchair)
Gait Belt. A belt that is used to help individuals walk or transfer safely. (eg: non-slip gait belt)
Transfer Board. A device used to help individuals move from one surface to another. (eg: sliding transfer board)
Quad Cane. A four-legged cane designed to provide additional stability when walking. (eg: adjustable quad cane)
Exercise Ball. A large inflatable ball used for strengthening and balance exercises. (eg: 65 cm exercise ball)
Resistance Band. An elastic band used for strength training exercises. (eg: medium resistance band)
Balance Board. A platform used for balance and coordination exercises. (eg: wobble balance board)
Overhead Pulley System. A device used to assist individuals with range of motion exercises. (eg: adjustable overhead pulley system)
Stand Assist. A motorized lift to help individuals stand or transfer from bed to chair. (eg: battery-operated stand assist)
Adaptive Cutlery. Specialized cutlery designed for individuals with limited grip strength or hand mobility. (eg: ergonomic adaptive cutlery set)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Physical Therapy Association
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Geriatrics Society
National Association for Geriatric Education
National Council on Aging
Aging Life Care Association
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
National Association of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners
Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine
American Society on Aging

We also have Geriatric Pharmacist, Geriatrics Medical Office Manager, and Geriatric Psychiatrist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Geriatric Care. The process of providing health care and support to elderly individuals.
Geriatric Assessment. The evaluation of an elderly person's physical, mental and social functioning in order to develop a plan of care.
Geriatric Rehabilitation. A specialized form of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy designed to help elderly individuals maintain or improve their functioning and quality of life.
Fall Prevention. Strategies designed to reduce the risk of falls among elderly individuals.
Cognitive Impairment. A decrease in mental functioning due to age-related changes or other conditions.
Dementia. A progressive deterioration of a person's cognitive abilities and memory due to the death of nerve cells in the brain.
Nutrition. The process of providing the body with the essential nutrients needed for growth, maintenance, and repair.
Activity of Daily Living (ADL). Basic activities necessary for independent living, such as dressing, bathing, and eating.
Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL). Activities that involve more complex skills and abilities, such as shopping, cooking, and managing finances.
Range of Motion Exercises. Exercises designed to increase flexibility and mobility by gently stretching muscles and joints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician?

A Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician works with elderly patients to help them maintain or improve their physical abilities and quality of life. They assist with physical therapy, activities of daily living, leisure activities, and other rehabilitative tasks.

What qualifications are needed to become a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician?

To become a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, individuals must typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete an accredited geriatrics rehabilitation technician program. Some states may require licensure or certification.

How much do Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians make?

The median annual salary for Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians in 2019 was $37,627.

What type of environment do Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians work in?

Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians typically work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, clinics, and rehabilitation centers.

What duties do Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technicians perform?

Duties of a Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician include assisting with physical therapy exercises, providing patient care and education, conducting evaluations, monitoring patient progress, documenting patient data, and helping patients with activities of daily living.