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Clinical research nurse vs certified medical technician

The differences between clinical research 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 clinical research nurse, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clinical research nurse has an average salary of $60,347, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a clinical research nurse include patients, BLS and acute care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Clinical research nurse vs certified medical technician overview

Clinical Research NurseCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$60,347$38,859
Hourly rate$29.01$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs703,983164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a clinical research nurse do?

A clinical research nurse is responsible for conducting research studies on various health conditions, illness treatments, and healthcare methodologies, analyzing existing scientific research to make new reports. Clinical research nurses also communicate with other health professionals and health organizations for their insights and recommendations for a specific medical study, ensuring to report their findings to doctors and medical researchers for further validation and clinical trials. A clinical research nurse must have excellent knowledge of communication, both written and spoken, as well as expertise in the medical industry.

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.

Clinical research nurse vs certified medical technician salary

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

Clinical Research NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$60,347$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $82,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between clinical research nurse and certified medical technician education

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

Clinical Research NurseCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Clinical research nurse vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Clinical Research NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.9% Female, 89.1%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 9.7% White, 65.2% 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 clinical research nurse and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Clinical research nurse example responsibilities.

  • Maintain accountability and compassion while providing care, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, administering medications, performing procedures and managing emergencies
  • Command of CPR team until a doctor arrives; defibrillate and assess patients' condition.
  • Administer pain medication through intravenous, oral or subcutaneous injection to recovering patients in the immediate post-operative period of surgery.
  • Provide complete nursing care for patient populations undergoing procedures relate to abdominal surgery, multiple trauma, oncology, and peritoneal dialysis
  • Provide skil nursing care for patients spanning the pediatric medical spectrum including hematology, immunology, oncology, neurology and endocrinology.
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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.
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Clinical research nurse vs certified medical technician skills

Common clinical research nurse skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • BLS, 10%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 3%
  • Surgery, 3%
  • Quality Care, 3%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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