Front desk receptionist vs certified medical technician

The differences between front desk receptionists 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 front desk receptionist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $31,050 average annual salary of a front desk receptionist.

The top three skills for a front desk receptionist include patients, check-in and phone calls. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Front desk receptionist vs certified medical technician overview

	Front Desk Receptionist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$31,050	$38,859
Hourly rate	$14.93	$18.68
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	82,593	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a front desk receptionist do?

Front desk receptionists are usually the first contact of clients or visitors in an office or building. They are responsible for welcoming and receiving guests, documenting guests' arrival and updating the visitor logbook, informing hosts and other involved employees that the guests have arrived, and directing the guests to where they should go next. They also man telephone lines, schedule appointments, receive packages or mails, and answer office visitors' questions. Front desk receptionists are expected to be personable, knowledgeable on office-related activities, and familiar with everyone.

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.

Front desk receptionist vs certified medical technician salary

Front desk receptionists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Receptionist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$31,050	$38,859
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	SightMD	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between front desk receptionist and certified medical technician education

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

	Front Desk Receptionist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	-	University of Connecticut

Front desk receptionist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between front desk receptionists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Front Desk Receptionist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.6% 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 Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between front desk receptionist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Front desk receptionist example responsibilities.

Accomplish computer work using a PMS system; OperaXpress.
Collect and distribute mail and packages, prepare FedEx shipments and manage online postage machine.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic
Acquire knowledge of ICD-9 and CPT codes and achieve up-to-date knowledge of medical record practices, standards, and regulations.
Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.

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.

Front desk receptionist vs certified medical technician skills

Common front desk receptionist skills

Patients, 23%
Check-In, 12%
Phone Calls, 10%
Reservations, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

Patients, 17%
Vital Signs, 12%
CPR, 8%
Administer Medications, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
HIPAA, 6%

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Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Receptionist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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