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Blood bank technician vs clinical technician

The differences between blood bank technicians and clinical 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 blood bank technician and a clinical technician. Additionally, a blood bank technician has an average salary of $53,664, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.

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

Blood bank technician vs clinical technician overview

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Technician
Yearly salary$53,664$35,760
Hourly rate$25.80$17.19
Growth rate-9%
Number of jobs54,130161,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 technician do?

A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.

Blood bank technician vs clinical technician salary

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

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Technician
Average salary$53,664$35,760
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $72,000Between $26,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityPalo Alto, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyFirst Republic BankBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between blood bank technician and clinical technician education

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

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Blood bank technician vs clinical technician demographics

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

Blood Bank TechnicianClinical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 33.4% Female, 66.6%Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between blood bank technician and clinical technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

  • Prepare QC and QA samples for validity testing.
  • Resolve issues from level 1 EMR support as well as EMR issues transfer from other departments.
  • Recognize life threatening situations and activate the emergency response system while assisting with CPR and code cart.
  • Report and document description of patient care information in EMR in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
  • Participate in reviews and QC of external central laboratory contracts, sample kits and manuals and ensure accuracy.
  • Assist in advance and basic life support techniques, perform EKG's, blood withdrawal, and computer order entry.
  • Show more

Blood bank technician vs clinical technician skills

Common blood bank technician skills
  • Blood Bank, 16%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 15%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Compatibility, 8%
  • Blood Samples, 6%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 5%
Common clinical technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • EKG, 4%

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