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Laboratory coordinator vs certified medical technician

The differences between laboratory coordinators 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 laboratory coordinator, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory coordinator has an average salary of $52,690, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a laboratory coordinator include lab equipment, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Laboratory coordinator vs certified medical technician overview

Laboratory CoordinatorCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$52,690$38,859
Hourly rate$25.33$18.68
Growth rate3%5%
Number of jobs64,914164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a laboratory coordinator do?

A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.

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.

Laboratory coordinator vs certified medical technician salary

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

Laboratory CoordinatorCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$52,690$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $72,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MADenton, TX
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyAbbVieFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between laboratory coordinator and certified medical technician education

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

Laboratory CoordinatorCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Connecticut

Laboratory coordinator vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Laboratory CoordinatorCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.5% Female, 58.5%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between laboratory coordinator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Laboratory coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team to decide on an optimal LIS.
  • Manage curriculum development, authore and publish lab manuals in physiology and ecology.
  • Prepare and audit patient charts according to HIPAA compliance.
  • Reject patient specimen samples that do not meet CLIA requirements.
  • Maintain records and training for all CLIA waive testing for all practice employees.
  • Follow EPA and OSHA mandates to ensure the proper and safe disposal of hazardous samples and waste.
  • 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

Laboratory coordinator vs certified medical technician skills

Common laboratory coordinator skills
  • Lab Equipment, 15%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Chemistry, 6%
  • Laboratory Safety, 3%
  • CLIA, 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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