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Clinical specialist vs clinical nurse specialist

The differences between clinical specialists and clinical nurse specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a clinical specialist and a clinical nurse specialist. Additionally, a clinical nurse specialist has an average salary of $77,086, which is higher than the $67,002 average annual salary of a clinical specialist.

The top three skills for a clinical specialist include patients, excellent interpersonal and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical nurse specialist are patients, BLS, and clinical practice.

Clinical specialist vs clinical nurse specialist overview

Clinical SpecialistClinical Nurse Specialist
Yearly salary$67,002$77,086
Hourly rate$32.21$37.06
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,670268,303
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a clinical specialist do?

A Clinical Specialists role is to assist in the selling of particular medical devices that need more detailed and complex knowledge. They work in laboratories as part of a team of technologists, technicians, and supervisors.

What does a clinical nurse specialist do?

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) serve as experts in practicing nursing based on evidence in one or more specialty areas. These nurses use their advanced knowledge and experience in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients. CNS is known to be called nurse educators for being assigned to conduct lectures in educational institutions due to their extensive effort to improve their craft. Additionally, their experience and expertise in a certain medical specialty qualify them to do case research.

Clinical specialist vs clinical nurse specialist salary

Clinical specialists and clinical nurse specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical SpecialistClinical Nurse Specialist
Average salary$67,002$77,086
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $113,000Between $54,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyGenentechMayo Clinic
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalGovernment

Differences between clinical specialist and clinical nurse specialist education

There are a few differences between a clinical specialist and a clinical nurse specialist in terms of educational background:

Clinical SpecialistClinical Nurse Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Clinical specialist vs clinical nurse specialist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical specialists' and clinical nurse specialists' demographics:

Clinical SpecialistClinical Nurse Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.6% Female, 70.4%Male, 9.9% Female, 90.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between clinical specialist and clinical nurse specialist duties and responsibilities

Clinical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with teams managing Medicare / Medicaid (CMS) requirements to increase care access for all patients.
  • Manage CNS supervise hospital base cardiac surgery clinic.
  • Collaborate with ambulatory practice managers as lead patient scheduler to develop back office scheduler position to manage all disease group patients.
  • Monitor patients with implant devices and provide ongoing programming recommendations to cardiologists and surgical staff.
  • Monitor documentation to ensure compliance with ICH GCP guidelines and interact with regulatory team members.
  • Serve as NRP and BLS instructor.
  • Show more

Clinical nurse specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chronic conditions (CHF, COPD, DM, ESRD) in a medically complex patient population.
  • Supervise and manage hypertension clinic.
  • Manage continuity of care for complex general internal patients with limit resources-diabetes, hypertension, psychiatric, and homeless.
  • Consult and follow patients in the ICU, emergency room, on the floor, and in clinic.
  • Coordinate care of vascular patients from preoperative throughout hospital stay, assess home care needs and rehabilitation placement.
  • Interview staff, recommend hiring, provide direct supervision, initiate disciplinary actions, and ensure quality care for veteran patients.
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Clinical specialist vs clinical nurse specialist skills

Common clinical specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Clinical Support, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%
Common clinical nurse specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Clinical Practice, 7%
  • CNS, 6%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Patient Outcomes, 4%

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