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Certified phlebotomy technician vs clinical technician

The differences between certified phlebotomy 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 certified phlebotomy technician and a clinical technician. Additionally, a certified phlebotomy technician has an average salary of $39,656, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.

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

Certified phlebotomy technician vs clinical technician overview

Certified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical Technician
Yearly salary$39,656$35,760
Hourly rate$19.07$17.19
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs100,272161,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

What does a certified phlebotomy technician do?

A certified phlebotomy technician draws blood from patients of all ages through venipuncture and finger or heel pricks. They label vials with patient information and date of collection, store blood according to protocols, and prepare the samples for transport or laboratory examinations. Their duties also include gathering and verifying client information, answering inquiries, conducting initial interviews to identify any existing illnesses, checking the patients' blood pressure, and maintaining records. Moreover, as a certified phlebotomy technician, it is essential to coordinate with fellow phlebotomists and keep an open communication line with physicians and nurses.

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.

Certified phlebotomy technician vs clinical technician salary

Certified phlebotomy technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical Technician
Average salary$39,656$35,760
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $56,000Between $26,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between certified phlebotomy technician and clinical technician education

There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomy technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:

Certified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut

Certified phlebotomy technician vs clinical technician demographics

Here are the differences between certified phlebotomy technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:

Certified Phlebotomy TechnicianClinical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 17.6% Female, 82.4%Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.3% 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 certified phlebotomy technician and clinical technician duties and responsibilities

Certified phlebotomy technician example responsibilities.

  • Operate and maintain EKG machines ECG connection and recording.
  • Perform injections, drug screenings, pulmonary function test, audiograms, Titmus eye screening, EKG.
  • Confer with patients to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures to allay fears and elicit cooperation.
  • Maintain effective communication with patients and medical staff, and record all results proficiently; evaluate information and provide proper recommendations.
  • Perform phlebotomy techniques, sterilize equipment, efficiently handle medical lab instrument, and mark test reports after experimentation & results.
  • Experience in performing routine tests using reagent kits, hematology analyzer, microscope and centrifuge.
  • 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.
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Certified phlebotomy technician vs clinical technician skills

Common certified phlebotomy technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • CPT, 8%
  • Laboratory Specimens, 7%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common clinical technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • EKG, 4%

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