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Dietary assistant vs certified medical technician

The differences between dietary assistants and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $28,234 average annual salary of a dietary assistant.

The top three skills for a dietary assistant include patients, food service and meal trays. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Dietary assistant vs certified medical technician overview

Dietary AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$28,234$38,859
Hourly rate$13.57$18.68
Growth rate2%5%
Number of jobs12,812164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3744
Years of experience-12

What does a dietary assistant do?

A dietary assistant is in charge of the food preparation of individuals in various settings. Dietary aides, dietary assistants cook food, check the compliance of proper procedure in safety and health measures, and maintain a clean environment in the kitchen. The assistants may work part-time or full-time, and during holidays, weekends, or evenings to accommodate customers. People in this position are expected to have experience in food preparation, strong teamwork, and customer-oriented approaches.

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.

Dietary assistant vs certified medical technician salary

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

Dietary AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$28,234$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $35,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityEverett, WADenton, TX
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyLifespanFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHospitalityHealth Care

Differences between dietary assistant and certified medical technician education

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

Dietary AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Dietary assistant vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Dietary AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 29.4% Female, 70.6%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between dietary assistant and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Dietary assistant example responsibilities.

  • Prepare trays for patients within the hospital's care, taking into consideration dietary requirements and allergies.
  • Enhance communication skills by providing assistance, companionship and compassion to patients.
  • Prepare and serve food to visitors and staff upholding HACCP standards.
  • Insure that patient s food allergies, and intolerance are taken care of and note.
  • Provide janitorial services to maintain high safety standards and cleanliness.
  • Develop and deliver exceptional meal services to all patients and visitors through cafeteria operations and individual deliveries.
  • Show more

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

Dietary assistant vs certified medical technician skills

Common dietary assistant skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Food Service, 11%
  • Meal Trays, 9%
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Food Preparation, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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