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.
Certified medical technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real certified medical technician resumes:
- 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.
- Preform stat draws and specialty testing as requested by the Dr.'s.
- Demonstrate flexibility in receiving assignments and providing for clients' needs, with compassion and diligence.
- Ensure the cleanliness, sanitation and maintenance of all facilities, residents' rooms and equipment.
- Assist residents with ADL's such as, feeding, changing, dressing and give their medications per state guidelines.
- Float to cardiac, orthopedic, neurology, ICU, medical-surgical and others to assist physicians and nurses with patient care.
- Work on medical floors with the occasional surgical patient and oncology patient
- Observe patients for adverse reactions to medications and prepare reports or notify designated personnel of unexpect medication reactions.
- Train new EMT's on knowledge of the differing vehicles that utilize the track and their varying needs for medical attention.
- Perform ECG and deliver results to physician on duty.
Certified medical technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Certified Medical Technicians are proficient in Patients, Vital Signs, and CPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Certified Medical Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 17%
Observed patients for adverse reactions to medications and prepared reports or notified designated personnel of unexpected medication reactions.
- Vital Signs, 12%
Documented in the medical record: vital signs, medication administration, and resident behaviors associated with medication administration.
- CPR, 8%
Have successfully assisted over 60 individuals become certified in CPR
- Administer Medications, 7%
Administer medications to residents/geriatric population- employment while obtaining degree
- Resident Care, 6%
Administered medications, injections and provided wound care to residents as required in resident care plans and Medication Administration Records.
- HIPAA, 6%
Coordinate with nursing staff to deliver excellent patient care- Accurately chart patient electronic medical records- Follow proper HIPAA and OSHA regulations
Most certified medical technicians use their skills in "patients," "vital signs," and "cpr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential certified medical technician responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a certified medical technician to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "pharmacy technicians spend much of their time interacting with customers, so being helpful and polite is required of pharmacy technicians in a retail setting." Additionally, a certified medical technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "passed medications, monitored vitals, provided customer service to the patients, staff, and family members. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling certified medical technician duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "serious health problems can result from mistakes in filling prescriptions." According to a certified medical technician resume, here's how certified medical technicians can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "established relationships with residents, treated them with care and compassion maintained high degree of sensitivity and close attention to detail"
Math skills. This is an important skill for certified medical technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how certified medical technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "pharmacy technicians need to have an understanding of the math concepts used in pharmacies when counting pills and compounding medications." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a certified medical technician: "recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records. ".
Organizational skills. For certain certified medical technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of a certified medical technician rely on this skill, as "working as a pharmacy technician involves balancing a variety of responsibilities." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what certified medical technicians do: "provide assistance to clients with their daily, in-home routines employing customer service with empathy and organizational skills. "
Listening skills. Another crucial skill for a certified medical technician to carry out their responsibilities is "listening skills." A big part of what certified medical technicians relies on this skill, since "pharmacy technicians must communicate clearly with pharmacists and doctors when taking prescription orders." How this skill relates to certified medical technician duties can be seen in an example from a certified medical technician resume snippet: "listen to clients, provide companionship. "
The three companies that hire the most certified medical technicians are:
- MAS Medical Staffing137 certified medical technicians jobs
- Baylor Scott & White Health56 certified medical technicians jobs
- Wellpath32 certified medical technicians jobs
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Compare different certified medical technicians
Certified medical technician vs. Laboratory supervisor
The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between certified medical technicians and laboratory supervisor. For instance, certified medical technician responsibilities require skills such as "vital signs," "cpr," "administer medications," and "resident care." Whereas a laboratory supervisor is skilled in "clinical laboratory," "patient care," "lab equipment," and "clia." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Laboratory supervisors really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $77,667. Comparatively, certified medical technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $36,214.laboratory supervisors tend to reach higher levels of education than certified medical technicians. In fact, laboratory supervisors are 7.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Certified medical technician vs. Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist
A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real certified medical technician resumes. While certified medical technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "administer medications," "resident care," "cmt," and "taking care," laboratory assistant/phlebotomists use skills like "blood specimens," "customer service," "phlebotomy procedures," and "specimen collection."
In general, laboratory assistant/phlebotomists achieve similar levels of education than certified medical technicians. They're 2.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Certified medical technician vs. Laboratory assistant
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, certified medical technicians are more likely to have skills like "cpr," "administer medications," "resident care," and "cmt." But a laboratory assistant is more likely to have skills like "phlebotomy," "customer service," "lab procedures," and "specimen collection."
Laboratory assistants earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,997. Comparatively, certified medical technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $36,214.Most laboratory assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to certified medical technicians. For example, they're 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Certified medical technician vs. Laboratory associate
A laboratory associate's responsibilities revolve around preparing test samples and subjecting them into different examination processes for scientific purposes. Aside from performing extensive analysis, they are also responsible for recording data, reviewing findings, collaborating with other scientists, and producing various reports and presentations. A laboratory associate can work for an institution or private company; they may also choose to contribute their studies in different publications and research activities. Furthermore, as a laboratory practitioner, it is essential to adhere to all the laboratory safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.
Types of certified medical technician
Updated January 8, 2025
