Service & Repair: Fueling Growth in CRT

Published in Complex Rehab on February 02, 2026

As featured in a recent article by HME News, service and repair don’t have to be a loss leader in CRT businesses. While the CRT service and repair landscape can be a pain point of the business, with persistent technician and ATP workforce shortages and long repair times, it doesn’t have to always be a financial drain. With the right processes, it can at least break even and support business sustainability.

Best practices to improve service & repair include:

Strong vendor relationships and partnerships are critical to ensure timely access to parts and efficient workflows.
Incorporating high-end technology solutions like remote diagnostics tools for efficient repairs and services.
Investing in quality education and training for technicians and ATP career development. (Keep reading for solutions to education and training needs!)

Providers who excel in these areas see smoother operations, better turnaround times, and better relationships with patients, therapists, physicians, and referral sources, resulting in more referrals and repeat business.

Read the full article from HME News here.

Ted Metcalf, VP of Clinical Mobility & Accessibility for VGM & Associates, will present on this topic at the inaugural Abilities International Accessibility Conference, March 26-27, 2026, at the Long Beach Convention Center. If you’re attending, be sure to check it out!

Service and Repair Department: The Talent Pipeline

Even with workforce shortages across the industry, CRT providers with sustainable service and repair departments are doubling down on training for ATPs and service technicians, investing in quality training and career development in order to maintain that level of expertise and passion for patient-centered care. With structured mentorship and technician training in CRT, providers can upskill techs, reduce delays, and prepare future ATPs—all while improving first-visit fix rates and referral confidence.

Three Levers to Strengthen Service (Even With Staffing Constraints)

1) Train Techs Like They’re Future ATPs

Build a laddered path from entry-level tech to senior tech to ATP. Prioritize:

Hands-on diagnostic skills across manufacturers
Documentation and funding awareness
Customer communication (empathy, expectations, safety)

Strong technician training in CRT stabilizes service workload now and builds up the ATP bench for tomorrow. More information below.

2) Use Remote Diagnostic Tools for Repairs to Protect Time

Adopt remote diagnostic tools for repairs to triage issues before dispatch:

Identify likely root causes and parts needs
Resolve simple issues by phone/video
Improve first-visit completion and minimize truck rolls

This will safeguard ATP/tech time, lower cost per call, and shorten patient downtime. Check out U.S. Rehab’s vendor partners for CRT technology solutions like parts ordering, remote diagnostics, and more!

3) Standardize the Workflow—From Intake to Invoice

Lock in service and repair best practices to reduce friction:

Triage: safety, urgency, and documentation checklist
Scheduling: prioritize by clinical impact and parts readiness
Parts: stock fast-movers; track ETAs visibly; align with vendor SLAs
Funding: capture the right details the first time to protect cash flow

Predictable processes lighten the load on understaffed teams and make results repeatable.

CRT Service and Repair Education: U.S. Rehab Has the Training You Need

When a chair is down, speed and confidence matter. U.S. Rehab offers live, hands-on seminars and flexible online programs so new and experienced assistive mobility/CRT repair technicians can sharpen diagnostics, troubleshooting, programming, and product-specific repair strategies without guesswork.

Live Tech Training delivers practical, hands-on repair and troubleshooting experience led by industry experts. Dates and locations for 2026 include:

April 7-8, 2026 in Minneapolis, MN. Registration is open now!
May 5-6, 2026 in Tampa, FL. Registration will open soon.
September 22-23, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Registration will open soon.

If sending techs to an onsite training is not an option, U.S. Rehab provides an alternative with the online Tech Training programs. Accessible 24/7, this program offers flexibility and training on the intricacies of mobility aids, including scooters, manual and power wheelchairs, delving into the essential electronics, and learning the latest programming techniques.

From Technician to ATP: Training Pathways for ATPs

Turn skilled techs into tomorrow’s ATPs with programs designed to build clinical knowledge, test readiness, and real-world judgment. Designed by subject matter experts, U.S. Rehab’s ATP Training programs cover all areas of assistive technology, seating, and mobility to help CRT teams prepare for the RESNA ATP exam or earn recertification credits.

The ATP Academy offers online ATP training and is a flexible, self-paced online curriculum developed by industry experts to prepare you for the RESNA ATP exam.
ATP Gateway Training is an in-person opportunity for experienced repair technicians attending Live Tech Training to learn about key assistive technology equipment, essential ATP topic areas, and RESNA ATP exam preparation. Dates and locations for 2026 include:
- April 9, 2026 in Minneapolis, MN. Registration is open now!
- May 7, 2026 in Tampa, FL. Registration will open soon.
- September 24, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Registration will open soon.

Both opportunities can be bundled together in one ATP Prep Package.

Strengthen Your Service Operation

Service and repair in CRT can be faster, smarter, and more sustainable. With the right service and repair best practices, technician training in CRT, and remote diagnostic tools for repairs, you can improve outcomes, strengthen referral relationships, and stabilize your margins. Most importantly, you’ll help people regain independence sooner.

Interested in training, tools, or benchmarking for your service team? Contact U.S. Rehab to learn more about upcoming technician training in CRT (U.S. Rehab members get exclusive pricing to live sessions!), ATP training programs (exclusive pricing available), or how to implement these service solutions in your business.

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