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Blood bank technician vs clinical laboratory assistant

The differences between blood bank technicians and clinical laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a blood bank technician and a clinical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a blood bank technician has an average salary of $53,664, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a blood bank technician include blood bank, clinical laboratory and patients. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.

Blood bank technician vs clinical laboratory assistant overview

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$53,664$32,679
Hourly rate$25.80$15.71
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs54,130108,124
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

What does a blood bank technician do?

A blood bank technician is typically a trained phlebotomist who works with donors and patients on a daily basis. They are primarily in charge of collecting blood and other components, labeling and storing them according to protocols, and preparing them for transfusion. They also work at laboratories to test and analyze different samples, assess potential donors, and maintain extensive records. Moreover, a blood bank technician assists donors or patients by answering inquiries, providing instructions, and helping them be at ease during the procedure.

What does a clinical laboratory assistant do?

A clinical laboratory assistant specializes in performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar setting using their in-depth knowledge. They are primarily responsible for assisting researchers, preparing samples and apparatus, conducting experiments and analysis, maintaining extensive documentation of all processes and results, and reporting to management. Moreover, a clinical laboratory assistant is also responsible for gathering necessary information before beginning studies and maintaining the laboratory's cleanliness and sanitation. It is vital to implement all the safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

Blood bank technician vs clinical laboratory assistant salary

Blood bank technicians and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$53,664$32,679
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $72,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyFirst Republic BankRoswell Park
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between blood bank technician and clinical laboratory assistant education

There are a few differences between a blood bank technician and a clinical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Blood bank technician vs clinical laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between blood bank technicians' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 33.4% Female, 66.6%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between blood bank technician and clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Blood bank technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Function in all areas of testing, maintenance and quality control in hematology and chemistry.
  • Provide emergency coverage in hematology, chemistry, coagulation, blood gas, urinalysis, and HIV labs.
  • Perform ABO for adults, and babies, RH typing, antibody screening by tube or gel technique.
  • Complete blood typing, antibody screening, compatibility testing, and antibody identification procedures entering all data into patient file.
  • Review patient history and results testing in hospital LIS.
  • Show more

Clinical laboratory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve PHLEBOTOMY duties utilizing proper infection control techniques and perform a variety of laboratory tests.
  • Process specimen, recollect and deliver to chemistry, microbiology, molecular or hematology departments for testing.
  • Receive specimens for microbiology, histology, cytology, anatomic pathology and hematology tests/procedures, checks for proper identification and requisition.
  • Operate EKG and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Transfer of samples from racks to centrifuges and decant station.
  • Administer EKG's, clean wounds, draw labs, and apply dressings.
  • Show more

Blood bank technician vs clinical laboratory assistant skills

Common blood bank technician skills
  • Blood Bank, 16%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 15%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Compatibility, 8%
  • Blood Samples, 6%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Common clinical laboratory assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Phlebotomy, 14%
  • Clinical Lab, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Specimen Collection, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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