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Dosimetrist vs certified medical technician

The differences between dosimetrists 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 dosimetrist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a dosimetrist has an average salary of $110,837, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

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

Dosimetrist vs certified medical technician overview

DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$110,837$38,859
Hourly rate$53.29$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs3,298164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4244
Years of experience212

What does a dosimetrist do?

A dosimetrist is a medical professional who assists patients undergoing radiation therapy. You are responsible for determining the proper radiation dosage being used in treating patients with cancer. Your duties include explaining the procedure to patients and responding to their questions and concerns, working closely with physicians to determine the amount and duration of radiation therapy, and assisting in the simulations and tumor localization using various imaging devices such as MRI, CT, and PET.

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.

Dosimetrist vs certified medical technician salary

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

DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$110,837$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $166,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityCape Girardeau, MODenton, TX
Highest paying stateMississippiAlaska
Best paying companyKaiser PermanenteFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between dosimetrist and certified medical technician education

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

DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Dosimetrist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 48.5% Female, 51.5%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage17%8%

Differences between dosimetrist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Dosimetrist example responsibilities.

  • Manage flow and daily operation of the treatment linac.
  • Focuse on developing radiation therapy treatment plans for cancer patients.
  • Train in Brainlab's iPlan; using it for SBRT with the VERO SBRT Linac.
  • Single dose and full dose TBI calculation.
  • Have planned HDR at other locations, no HDR at current offices.
  • Use MOSAIQ to transfer treatment set up information between simulation and treatment computers.
  • 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

Dosimetrist vs certified medical technician skills

Common dosimetrist skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Radiation Therapy, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • PET, 6%
  • IMRT, 4%
  • Patient Treatment, 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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