Texas Health Resources is a large, faith-based health system located in North Texas. They employ over 28,000 people across their 25 hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities. Recovery specialists are an important part of the care team at Texas Health, helping patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery. But how much do these professionals make?
What is a Recovery Specialist?
A recovery specialist, also known as a patient care technician, is responsible for assisting patients with basic daily tasks as they recover in the hospital. Their duties may include:
- Helping patients get in and out of bed
- Assisting with walking or moving around
- Providing personal hygiene assistance like bathing or using the restroom
- Changing bed linens
- Taking vital signs like blood pressure
- Collecting samples for testing
- Delivering meals and water
Recovery specialists provide hands-on care and are an important part of the nursing team. They work under the direction of nurses and doctors. The role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills.
Recovery Specialist Pay at Texas Health Resources
According to data from Texas Health and job sites like Glassdoor, the average pay for a recovery specialist at Texas Health is approximately $14-$17 per hour. This equals an annual salary of around $29,000-$35,000. Pay may vary slightly by location.
Here are some examples of recovery specialist pay at specific Texas Health hospitals:
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas – $14-$16/hr
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth – $15-$17/hr
- Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital – $14-$15/hr
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano – $14-$16/hr
Pay is generally based on factors like:
- Experience level
- Shift worked (nights or weekends may have shift differentials)
- Geographic location
- Additional certifications
Texas Health offers opportunities for pay increases over time through annual raises. Recovery specialists may also move into lead or supervisor roles with higher pay ceilings.
Job Outlook for Recovery Specialists
The job outlook for recovery specialists and patient care technicians is strong nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of nursing assistants like recovery specialists is projected to grow 9% from 2020-2030, faster than the average across all occupations. This will translate into about 300,400 additional jobs over the decade.
Demand is increasing for healthcare across all settings, including hospitals. As the population ages, more recovery care will be needed. Shortages of other nursing roles like registered nurses may also lead to greater utilization of recovery specialists.
Here are some of the factors driving job growth specifically in Texas:
- Texas’ population is growing rapidly, reaching over 29 million residents. This expanding population will require more healthcare services.
- The portion of Texas’ population age 65+ is increasing. Older individuals typically need more medical care.
- Medical advancement allows more procedures to be done in outpatient settings, increasing demand for post-procedure recovery care.
Major employers of recovery specialists like Texas Health will need to fill more of these positions in coming years to meet rising demand.
How to Become a Recovery Specialist in Texas
If you’re interested in pursuing a recovery specialist career in Texas, here are some steps to follow:
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent like a GED.
- Enroll in a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program. These are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, hospitals, nursing homes and more. Typical length is 4-12 weeks.
- Complete on-the-job clinical training as part of your program.
- Pass the CNA exam to become state certified. The exam has a written portion and a skills demonstration portion.
- Get CPR certified. Employers like Texas Health require current CPR certification.
- Apply for open recovery specialist positions at hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers and other healthcare settings.
- Consider obtaining additional training or certifications down the road, like becoming a phlebotomy or EKG technician.
Some key skills and qualities to develop to excel as a recovery specialist include:
- Compassion and caregiving aptitude
- Organizational skills
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Teamwork
- Communication abilities
Highest Paying Cities for Recovery Specialists in Texas
While recovery specialist salary offers are quite consistent across Texas Health hospitals, pay scales in the profession can vary by geographic area. Cities with a higher cost of living tend to offer higher wages for recovery specialists.
Here are some of the top paying metro areas for recovery specialists in Texas:
| Metro Area | Average Hourly Pay |
| Midland | $16.55/hr |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $15.79/hr |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $14.95/hr |
| El Paso | $14.44/hr |
As shown in the table, Midland offers the highest recovery specialist pay scale in Texas, which is tied to its thriving oil industry. The Dallas and Houston metros follow close behind due to their major city status and large healthcare systems. El Paso and other border cities also tend to pay above state averages.
Non-Metro Areas in Texas
In rural regions of Texas, recovery specialist pay may be slightly lower than major metros. Smaller towns have lower costs of living that offset lower wages. Here are some examples of average recovery specialist pay in non-metro regions:
- Abilene – $13.22/hr
- Amarillo – $13.45/hr
- Waco – $13.19/hr
- Lubbock – $13.60/hr
However, rural facilities sometimes offer sign-on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, or other incentives that can boost total compensation. And lower cost of living translates to earnings stretching further.
Comparing Texas Health Resources Salary to Other Providers
How does recovery specialist compensation at Texas Health stack up against other major providers in the state? Here’s an overview:
- Baylor Scott & White Health: Recovery specialists at Baylor earn an average of $14-$16/hr, similar to Texas Health.
- Memorial Hermann Health System: Pay is also comparable at Memorial Hermann, ranging from $14-$17/hr.
- Christus Health: Christus recovery specialist wages are slightly lower at $13-$15/hr on average.
- Baptist Health System: Baptist Health’s recovery tech pay is on par with Texas Health at approximately $14-$16/hr.
As you can see, the major Texas health systems seem to align in their compensation ranges for recovery specialists. This allows them to remain competitive for recruiting top talent in the healthcare labor market.
Negotiating Your Salary as a Recovery Specialist
While salary offers are usually set by policy, there may be some room to negotiate pay as a recovery specialist. Here are some tips:
- Ask about pay grade structures and where you fall in the ranges. This gives you more context.
- Highlight relevant certifications or specialized skills that may warrant a higher wage.
- Discuss bonuses, raises, and advancement opportunities.
- Compare to averages on job sites like Glassdoor to support your case.
- Consider negotiating for non-salary benefits like more PTO, tuition assistance, or scheduling perks.
- Approach negotiations professionally and positively. Avoid ultimatums.
With some preparation and practice, you can gain confidence in negotiating your recovery specialist salary. Even a small bump can make a difference.
Expanding Your Earning Potential
Besides negotiating pay, there are other ways to grow your income as a recovery specialist:
- Pick up overtime shifts to benefit from time-and-a-half pay.
- Look for opportunities to advance into lead or supervisor roles.
- Consider obtaining specialized certifications like phlebotomy.
- Explore higher paying job opportunities after gaining experience.
- Research which employers offer the best benefits and perks overall.
By maximizing your schedule, training, and employer, you can expand your earning power over the course of your career.
Conclusion
Recovery specialists provide critical support services that help patients heal and recover from illness or medical procedures. At Texas Health Resources hospitals, these professionals earn approximately $14-$17 per hour. This pay is competitive for the region and industry. While there is room to grow, this stable salary range attracts many to the rewarding field of recovery care.
The job outlook for recovery specialists in Texas also looks strong in coming years due to rising healthcare needs. Major providers like Texas Health will continue to be top employers. While specific wages may fluctuate by location, Texas Health’s compensation reflects prevailing trends.
In summary, Texas Health Resources offers a balanced pay scale for recovery specialists that enbles them to enjoy solid earning potential as part of the care team. If you have the drive to help patients recover, it can be a fulfilling and reliable career path.