What does a dialysis technician do?

A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between dialysis technicians and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist. For instance, dialysis technician responsibilities require skills such as "direct patient care," "catheter," "blood pressure," and "direct supervision." Whereas a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is skilled in "blood specimens," "customer service," "phlebotomy procedures," and "specimen collection." This is part of what separates the two careers.

The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real dialysis technician resumes. While dialysis technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "direct patient care," "phlebotomy," "catheter," and "blood pressure," assistant laboratory technicians use skills like "ladders," "computer lab," "ekg," and "nondestructive testing."

A Lead Laboratory Technician coordinates the operations of a laboratory. They supervise the preparation of specimens for tests, collection of blood, examination of blood samples, and other duties performed by the technician team.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a dialysis technician is likely to be skilled in "vital signs," "direct patient care," "cpr," and "catheter," while a typical lead laboratory technician is skilled in "lab equipment," "customer service," "ongoing maintenance," and "patient care."

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.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between dialysis technicians and certified medical technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a dialysis technician might have more use for skills like "phlebotomy," "direct supervision," "infection control," and "patient treatment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of certified medical technicians require skills like "administer medications," "resident care," "hipaa," and "cmt. "