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Clinical support specialist vs certified medical technician

The differences between clinical support specialists 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 support specialist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clinical support specialist has an average salary of $45,892, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a clinical support specialist include patients, clinical support and home health. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Clinical support specialist vs certified medical technician overview

Clinical Support SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$45,892$38,859
Hourly rate$22.06$18.68
Growth rate10%5%
Number of jobs161,163164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4244
Years of experience212

What does a clinical support specialist do?

A clinical support specialist is in charge of assisting medical workers and clients in hospitals or similar facilities. Among their responsibilities include gathering patient information and medical histories, collecting payment and insurance details, helping patients fill out forms, answering calls and correspondence, and assisting staff as needed. A clinical support specialist may also participate in medical research and studies, providing clerical support to researchers and medical experts. Furthermore, it is essential to function while implementing the facility's safety policies and regulations.

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 support specialist vs certified medical technician salary

Clinical support specialists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Support SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$45,892$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $71,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyBoehringer IngelheimFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between clinical support specialist and certified medical technician education

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

Clinical Support SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Clinical support specialist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between clinical support specialists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Clinical Support SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% 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 Percentage11%8%

Differences between clinical support specialist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Clinical support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage assignments of paying medical bills limit in depth that include organizing and researching regulations as pertain to veterans eligibility.
  • Help users in customization in the cadence module.
  • Develop and improve EMR work flow including creating and updating software administration maintenance.
  • Maintain client confidentiality and closely follow HIPAA regulations.
  • Perform administrative support activities for medical record management and internal records to assure HIPAA compliance procedures.
  • Complete medical referrals for patients who are being discharge from the hospital including demographics, medications/allergies, and laboratory data.
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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.
  • Show more

Clinical support specialist vs certified medical technician skills

Common clinical support specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Clinical Support, 12%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • EMR, 4%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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