OVERVIEW
What is a Rehabilitation Services Manager?
Rehabilitation services managers work in high-level administrative roles, overseeing the daily operation of rehabilitation centers that provide care for many types of recovery. They supervise staff members who work one-on-one with patients. A rehab manager usually has a background in both healthcare and business so that they can run a clinic with an understanding of what their therapists do.
Since they occupy a management role, rehabilitation managers should exhibit excellent leadership and communication skills. Additionally, many—if not all—managers in this field acquire years of experience and earn advanced degrees and certifications in order to effectively handle the many responsibilities of leading a rehabilitation center.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Rehabilitation Services Manager Do?
A rehabilitation services manager usually performs the following tasks on a daily or weekly basis:
Developing and evaluating rehabilitation therapy services and programs. Rehab managers determine the main forms of treatment administered in rehabilitation centers.
Facilitating department policies and procedures. These policies govern how patients are treated and how therapists and other staff members perform their jobs.
Overseeing and coordinating programs and services. Rehab managers ensure the smooth operation of rehabilitation facilities and the delivery of high-quality care to patients.
Managing finances. This includes estimating the number of staff, equipment, and supplies needed as well as preparing the department budget.
Conducting ongoing program reviews. Regular reviews are crucial to meeting or exceeding department goals and compliance standards.
Updating treatment methods to maintain quality of care. Maintaining a high quality of service means adjusting treatment plans as needed and keeping up with changing healthcare technology.
Creating work schedules. Managers must maintain adequate staffing levels to respond to fluctuating workloads.
Onboarding, training, and supporting staff. Proper management includes imparting to staff members the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs well.
Fostering good customer relations. Rehabilitation managers should collaborate with the clinical director and other staff to ensure patient satisfaction.
Familiarizing with vocational rehabilitation. This area of treatment helps people with disabilities who need assistance with getting a job or going back to work.
Where Does a Rehabilitation Services Manager Work?
The largest employers of rehabilitation services managers are inpatient hospitals. However, many rehab services managers also work in doctors’ offices, nursing and residential care facilities, and outpatient care centers.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Rehabilitation Services Manager?
Many rehabilitation services managers go beyond completing a bachelor’s program, earning a master’s degree, certification, or both. Below are the best steps for becoming a rehabilitation services manager.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in an allied health field. Common degree programs include healthcare administration, health and human services, physical therapy, and psychology.
- Complete a master’s degree in a health- or business-related field. Common graduate programs include health administration and an MBA in healthcare management.
- Get certified in rehabilitation management. To gain a deeper understanding of managing therapy and treatment plans, consider becoming a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE). Certification could also lead to career advancement opportunities along with an increased salary.
- Take courses in grant writing. It can be useful to learn how to write grants to apply for and secure funding. These funds could help improve rehab center operations and treatments.
- Gain relevant work experience. To be better prepared for the responsibilities of a management role, you might consider acquiring foundational experience in an entry- or mid-level healthcare administration job.
- Apply for rehabilitation services manager jobs. Of course, to be considered for a role in the field, you need to job search and complete applications. Remember to update or polish your résumé and cover letter and prepare yourself for answering interview questions.
Best Degrees for a Rehabilitation Services Manager
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSn and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.
- Time: 61% of grads finish within 23 months
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program
This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
How Much Does a Rehabilitation Service Manager Make?
$124,975
According to Salary.com, the average salary of rehabilitation services managers in the U.S. is about $124,975 as of March 2024. The salary range typically falls between $117,500 and $131,000. The bottom 10% earn about $111,000 per year, while the top 10% earn around $137,000 per year. Salary ranges vary depending on factors such as education, certifications, years of experience, and additional skills acquired in the field.
What Is the Job Outlook for a Rehabilitation Services Manager?
28%
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in medical and health services management are projected to grow by 28% from 2022 to 2032. About 54,700 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year on average. As the baby -boom population ages, the demand for healthcare services increases, necessitating proficient managers to organize, coordinate, and oversee care.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Rehabilitation Services Manager Need?
Since this job sits at an intersection of healthcare and business, rehabilitation managers should develop a well-rounded set of skills in both disciplines. Common skills for the role include:
Understanding of rehabilitative treatment methods in therapeutic recreation, art, and music.
Familiarity with potential hazards to patients during treatment, and knowledge of precautionary and remedial measures to prevent hazards.
Foundational understanding of human development and developmental disorders to apply appropriate therapies.
Basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and psychology.
Knowledge of applying techniques, principles, and practices of rehabilitation therapy.
General understanding of vocational rehabilitation.
Supervision and leadership skills.
Proficiency in communicating with staff members, patients, and other healthcare professionals.
Skill in documenting treatment responses in patient records.
Knowledge of financial budgeting.
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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