Lead Rehabilitation Technician

WVU Medicine

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Rehabilitation Technician functions as an advanced Rehabilitation Technician with added clinical leadership, coordination, and oversight responsibilities. This role supports Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and other rehabilitation disciplines by ensuring efficient deployment of Rehab Tech resources, consistent clinical competency, and optimized patient flow across all service areas. In addition to performing all essential duties of a Rehabilitation Technician, the Lead Rehab Tech provides day‑to‑day guidance, mentorship, and operational coordination for Rehab Tech staff in order to support independent therapist practice, maintain patient safety, and enhance departmental efficiency.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtained within 30 days of hire
Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Rehabilitation Technician or equivalent patient care role
Demonstrated competence working in acute care and high‑acuity environments

Nice To Haves

Formal patient care training or rehabilitation‑related education
Experience providing peer mentoring, precepting, or informal leadership

Responsibilities

Performs all essential duties of the Rehabilitation Technician role, including assisting therapists with treatment plans for inpatient and outpatient populations.
Safely assists with patient mobility, transport, and handling in accordance with Safe Patient Handling policies and patient‑specific care plans.
Monitors patient tolerance, safety, and condition during rehabilitation activities and promptly communicates concerns to licensed staff.
Assists with cast room procedures, traction setup, equipment preparation, and orthopedic technical support as ordered.
Provides day‑to‑day functional leadership and guidance to Rehabilitation Technicians across assigned shifts and service areas.
Assists with daily coordination and prioritization of Rehab Tech assignments to meet patient care needs and therapist schedules.
Serves as a primary point of contact for therapists regarding Rehab Tech availability, coverage, and workflow concerns.
Identifies and escalates coverage gaps, missed opportunities, or workflow inefficiencies to Rehabilitation Services leadership.
Assists with onboarding, orientation, and mentoring of new Rehabilitation Technicians.
Supports maintenance of consistent clinical standards by reinforcing proper techniques, safety practices, and departmental expectations.
Serves as a clinical resource for Rehab Technicians, helping troubleshoot patient care challenges within defined scope of practice.
Assists leadership with tracking Rehab Tech utilization, coverage patterns, and operational needs as requested.
Supports ongoing performance improvement initiatives related to patient flow, therapist productivity, and support staffing.
Models professionalism, accountability, and collaboration consistent with departmental and organizational values.
Maintains proper attendance, punctuality, and reliability to support efficient operations.
Participates in departmental meetings, initiatives, and performance improvement activities as assigned.