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Associate vs certified medical technician

The differences between associates and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate has an average salary of $69,556, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an associate include customer service, sales floor and patients. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Associate vs certified medical technician overview

AssociateCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$69,556$38,859
Hourly rate$33.44$18.68
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs569,041164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4144
Years of experience-12

What does an associate do?

Associates are typically entry-level positions for employees who are taking on their first job or organizational role. They are assigned to teams or departments that are related to their skills or educational background. They usually start with smaller tasks that may not seem as impactful but are still essential to the department. Associates are trained by more tenured team members on the ins and outs of the department and the organization. As they grow with the organization, they are given more responsibilities that directly impact the results of the department's initiatives as they work towards their goals.

What does a certified medical technician do?

Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.

Associate vs certified medical technician salary

Associates and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

AssociateCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$69,556$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $140,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCDenton, TX
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companySimpson Thacher & BartlettFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between associate and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between an associate and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

AssociateCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Associate vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between associates' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

AssociateCertified Medical Technician
Average age4144
Gender ratioMale, 50.4% Female, 49.6%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage7%8%

Differences between associate and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the sale of smoothies at different educational institutes while interacting with hundreds of students and ensuring their happiness and satisfaction.
  • Manage customer resolutions associate with flight reservations.
  • Lead the team by exemplify reliability through punctuality and personal integrity.
  • Help drive sales by providing excellent customer service in gourmet cheese, wine, beer, and coffee departments.
  • Utilize teamwork, communication, customer service, responsibility, and organizational skills.
  • Work according to ISO standards.
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Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
  • Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
  • Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
  • Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
  • Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.
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Associate vs certified medical technician skills

Common associate skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Sales Floor, 13%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Windows, 4%
  • HR, 4%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%