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Field nurse vs certified medical technician

The differences between field nurses 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 field nurse, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a field nurse has an average salary of $78,753, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a field nurse include patients, home health and wound care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Field nurse vs certified medical technician overview

Field NurseCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$78,753$38,859
Hourly rate$37.86$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs678,050164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

Field nurse vs certified medical technician salary

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

Field NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$78,753$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $52,000 And $118,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Denton, TX
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between field nurse and certified medical technician education

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

Field NurseCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Field nurse vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Field NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 9.4% Female, 90.6%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage9%8%

Differences between field nurse and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Field nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Screen prospective clients for need immunizations, implementing after evaluating patients' medical history and obtaining sign release.
  • Promote health literacy by educating patients and caregivers on disease management, diagnosis, medical interventions, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores and give alcohol rubs and massages.
  • Document patient care in a manner that complies with JCAHO standards.
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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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Field nurse vs certified medical technician skills

Common field nurse skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Home Health, 14%
  • Wound Care, 7%
  • Palliative Care, 6%
  • IV, 4%
  • Disease Process, 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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