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Dialysis technician vs certified medical technician

The differences between dialysis technicians and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a dialysis technician and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a dialysis technician has an average salary of $40,195, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a dialysis technician include patients, vital signs and direct patient care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Dialysis technician vs certified medical technician overview

Dialysis TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$40,195$38,859
Hourly rate$19.32$18.68
Growth rate9%5%
Number of jobs100,653164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 25%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

What does a dialysis technician do?

A dialysis technician is responsible for the control and maintenance of a dialysis machine. Dialysis technicians' duties include monitoring the stable performance of the equipment, assisting patients on the dialysis process, and adhering to the safety standards and protocols on the dialysis operation all the time. A dialysis technician also reports to the respective doctors and nurses for any concerns and possible emergency scenarios. Dialysis technicians must also sterilize all equipment before usage to ensure its cleanliness, avoiding possible infection for patients.

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.

Dialysis technician vs certified medical technician salary

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

Dialysis TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$40,195$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $54,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityFresno, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyAmerican Mobile HealthcareFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between dialysis technician and certified medical technician education

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

Dialysis TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 25%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut

Dialysis technician vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Dialysis TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 25.1% Female, 74.9%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between dialysis technician and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Dialysis technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain national certification as CCHT and attain CE's as required.
  • Practice guidelines require by national standard and regulatory agencies and infection control when sterilizing equipment, catheter sites, puncture sites.
  • Initiate, monitor, and terminate dialysis treatments for individual patients through intravenous and/or catheter ports.
  • Observe patients during hemodialysis treatments and identify patient problems and/or complications and report any unusual findings to the nurse supervisor.
  • Operate hemodialysis machines, calculate fluid removal/replacement, monitor venous and arterial pressures, and check patients for adverse reactions.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory procedures and equipment functions to perform duties accurately; comply with standard procedures and cleanliness guidelines.
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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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Dialysis technician vs certified medical technician skills

Common dialysis technician skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Vital Signs, 13%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • Catheter, 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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