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Infection control practitioner vs certified medical technician

The differences between infection control practitioners 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 an infection control practitioner, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an infection control practitioner has an average salary of $73,111, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an infection control practitioner include patients, infection prevention and infection control. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Infection control practitioner vs certified medical technician overview

Infection Control PractitionerCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$73,111$38,859
Hourly rate$35.15$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs58,850164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does an infection control practitioner do?

An infection control practitioner is a highly qualified and sought-after medical practitioner. They operate in a wide range of environments and help prevent, investigate, monitor, and report infectious diseases in these environments. They must be able to formulate and execute effective approaches to minimize the spread of infections and have up-to-date awareness of infection-control methods. Due to the risk of infection in their work environment, they must strictly adhere to safety protocol.

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.

Infection control practitioner vs certified medical technician salary

Infection control practitioners and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Infection Control PractitionerCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$73,111$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $106,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySpringfield, MADenton, TX
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyChildren's Hospital New OrleansFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between infection control practitioner and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between an infection control practitioner and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Infection Control PractitionerCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Infection control practitioner vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between infection control practitioners' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Infection Control PractitionerCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.1% Female, 85.9%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% 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 infection control practitioner and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Infection control practitioner example responsibilities.

  • Treat acute illnesses and manage chronic conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic pain, and diabetes.
  • Manage team of medical support personnel, orient new clinical employees and develop new guidelines for chemotherapy administration.
  • Provision of care includes health maintenance, disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with specialty consultations as indicated.
  • Develop IC plans, ICRA, performing CDC NHSN surveillance.
  • Develop blood borne pathogen policy and exposure management program to meet OSHA and CDC requirements.
  • Work collaboratively with staff, departments and administration to reduce the risk of hospital-acquir infections among patients.
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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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Infection control practitioner vs certified medical technician skills

Common infection control practitioner skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Infection Prevention, 8%
  • Infection Control, 7%
  • Public Health, 6%
  • Infection Control Policies, 6%
  • Infection Control Practices, 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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