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Cytogenetic technologist vs medical technologist

The differences between cytogenetic technologists and medical technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cytogenetic technologist has an average salary of $54,242, which is higher than the $53,249 average annual salary of a medical technologist.

The top three skills for a cytogenetic technologist include harvest, patients and ASCP. The most important skills for a medical technologist are patients, clinical laboratory, and ASCP.

Cytogenetic technologist vs medical technologist overview

Cytogenetic TechnologistMedical Technologist
Yearly salary$54,242$53,249
Hourly rate$26.08$25.60
Growth rate9%-
Number of jobs76,373116,495
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4444
Years of experience-2

What does a cytogenetic technologist do?

A cytogenetic technologist is a lab specialist who is responsible for preparing and examining chromosomes in the DNA of patients to learn about the relationship between genetics and health. To aid in diagnosis and treatment plans, cytogenetic technologists must use microscopes to examine and analyze normal and abnormal chromosomes. They work closely with doctors to help diagnose and treat genetic diseases such as congenital disorders, blood disorders, and birth defects. Cytogenetic technologists can also work in different establishments such as hospitals, government facilities, and private labs.

What does a medical technologist do?

A medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.

Cytogenetic technologist vs medical technologist salary

Cytogenetic technologists and medical technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cytogenetic TechnologistMedical Technologist
Average salary$54,242$53,249
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $75,000Between $41,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyChildren's Hospital Colorado
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between cytogenetic technologist and medical technologist education

There are a few differences between a cytogenetic technologist and a medical technologist in terms of educational background:

Cytogenetic TechnologistMedical Technologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Technician
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cytogenetic technologist vs medical technologist demographics

Here are the differences between cytogenetic technologists' and medical technologists' demographics:

Cytogenetic TechnologistMedical Technologist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.2% Female, 70.8%Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 12.1% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between cytogenetic technologist and medical technologist duties and responsibilities

Cytogenetic technologist example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish at using/troubleshooting with programs such as ASI for image capture/analysis and karyotyping.
  • Help maintain boats cages and feed barge.
  • Follow FDA guideline to report results and document maintenance.
  • Operate boats safely to and from work sites on ocean.
  • Organize data and records on all fin clipping traceability back to the hatchery.
  • Assist in the training of genetics technology students, genetics fellows and postdoctorate students.
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Medical technologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage departmental recovery activities after installation of upgrades affecting the LIS affect.
  • Perform medical/laboratory procedures in all departments including microbiology, chemistry, blood bank, hematology, urinalysis, and immunology.
  • Perform laboratory test to corporal fluids applying analysis fields like biochemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, urinalysis and blood bank
  • Execute and analyze laboratory test in biochemistry, urinalysis, hematology, microbiology, blood bank and serology department.
  • Direct participation on proficiency testing programs on hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, blood bank, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Work full-time as an evening/night shift generalist rotating through hematology, urinalysis, serology, chemistry, blood bank and microbiology.
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Cytogenetic technologist vs medical technologist skills

Common cytogenetic technologist skills
  • Harvest, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • ASCP, 9%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
  • Microscopic Analysis, 5%
Common medical technologist skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 8%
  • ASCP, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Microbiology, 4%

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