Post job

Circulating nurse vs certified medical technician

The differences between circulating nurses and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a circulating nurse, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a circulating nurse has an average salary of $74,535, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a circulating nurse include patients, BLS and plastic surgery. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Circulating nurse vs certified medical technician overview

Circulating NurseCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$74,535$38,859
Hourly rate$35.83$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs580,481164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

Circulating nurse vs certified medical technician salary

Circulating nurses and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulating NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$74,535$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $121,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Denton, TX
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between circulating nurse and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a circulating nurse and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Circulating NurseCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Circulating nurse vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between circulating nurses' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Circulating NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.6% Female, 85.4%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between circulating nurse and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Circulating nurse example responsibilities.

  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Monitor vital signs in PACU and review discharge instructions to caretaker regarding procedure.
  • Circulate ENT, plastics, GYN, GI, general, and orthopedic cases.
  • Circulate mostly GU and GYN cases
  • Assist in Pre-Op as needed.
  • Assist in endoscopy for EGDS, Colonoscopys, and ERCPs.
  • Show more

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Circulating nurse vs certified medical technician skills

Common circulating nurse skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • BLS, 7%
  • Plastic Surgery, 7%
  • Infection Control, 5%
  • Anesthesia, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs