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Behavioral assistant vs certified medical technician

The differences between behavioral assistants and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a behavioral assistant and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a behavioral assistant has an average salary of $39,681, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a behavioral assistant include behavioral interventions, mental health and patients. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Behavioral assistant vs certified medical technician overview

Behavioral AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$39,681$38,859
Hourly rate$19.08$18.68
Growth rate12%5%
Number of jobs80,685164,424
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4344
Years of experience1212

What does a behavioral assistant do?

Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.

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.

Behavioral assistant vs certified medical technician salary

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

Behavioral AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$39,681$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $53,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySanta Maria, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyPhysician Affiliate Group of New YorkFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between behavioral assistant and certified medical technician education

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

Behavioral AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorPsychologyNursing
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Connecticut

Behavioral assistant vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Behavioral AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%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 Percentage11%8%

Differences between behavioral assistant and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Behavioral assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work one-on-one with students as well as small groups as instructed by teacher to help achieve goals outline by the IEP.
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Develop rapport and trust of physicians and patients to assure confidence and execution of therapy plans resulting in successful patient rehabilitation.
  • Apply behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-base methods are used to decrease challenging behaviors and teach skills.
  • Assist BCBA consultants providing comprehensive educational, social, behavioral, and community services to young children on the autism spectrum.
  • Implement modifications outline in IEP.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Behavioral assistant vs certified medical technician skills

Common behavioral assistant skills
  • Behavioral Interventions, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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