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Bio medical technician vs assistant laboratory technician

The differences between bio medical technicians and assistant laboratory 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 bio medical technician and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a bio medical technician has an average salary of $60,490, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a bio medical technician include patients, OSHA and hand tools. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.

Bio medical technician vs assistant laboratory technician overview

BIO Medical TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$60,490$35,556
Hourly rate$29.08$17.09
Growth rate17%1%
Number of jobs108,555116,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

What does a bio medical technician do?

A biomedical technician is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining biomedical equipment. Your day-to-day duties include testing and calibrating parts, performing preventative maintenance on medical equipment to ensure patients receive high-quality service and treatment, and directing the operation of biomedical equipment. As a biomedical technician, it is your responsibility to keep this equipment in good condition by performing tests and following best practices for preventative maintenance. You are also responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

What does an assistant laboratory technician do?

The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.

Bio medical technician vs assistant laboratory technician salary

Bio medical technicians and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

BIO Medical TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average salary$60,490$35,556
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $91,000Between $21,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Manchester, NH
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Patterson-UTI Energy
Best paying industry--

Differences between bio medical technician and assistant laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a bio medical technician and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

BIO Medical TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBiology
Most common collegePurdue UniversityUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Bio medical technician vs assistant laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between bio medical technicians' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:

BIO Medical TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 76.5% Female, 23.5%Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between bio medical technician and assistant laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Bio medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform all biomedical technician functions to troubleshoot, repair and manage hospital equipment.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot and repair various laboratory equipment: sterilizers, centrifuges, microscopes, etc.
  • Collect water samples for AAMI analysis according to company, state, and federal regulations and document as appropriate.
  • Repair and troubleshooting of KCI and customer own products in adherence to strict OSHA, FDA, and ISO guidelines.
  • Train new employees and students on PACS.
  • Assist with implementation of PACS.
  • Show more

Assistant laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Work with non-gynecological specimens including thin prep, cytospins or formalin and cellient cell blocks.
  • Work in cytology lab performing prep duties of surgical fluids, FNA aspirates and pap smears.
  • Verify test requirements utilizing LIS.
  • Obtain insurance authorization and provide patients resources regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibilities.
  • Collect, identify, categorize, and analyze bodily fluids relate to non-gynecological cytology.
  • Show more

Bio medical technician vs assistant laboratory technician skills

Common bio medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Clinical Equipment, 5%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 5%
  • Test Equipment, 5%
Common assistant laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Computer Lab, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • EKG, 6%
  • CPR, 5%

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