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Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory assistant

The differences between laboratory coordinators and clinical laboratory assistants 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 clinical laboratory assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory coordinator has an average salary of $52,690, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a laboratory coordinator include lab equipment, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory assistant overview

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$52,690$32,679
Hourly rate$25.33$15.71
Growth rate3%10%
Number of jobs64,914108,124
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
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 clinical laboratory assistant do?

A clinical laboratory assistant specializes in performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar setting using their in-depth knowledge. They are primarily responsible for assisting researchers, preparing samples and apparatus, conducting experiments and analysis, maintaining extensive documentation of all processes and results, and reporting to management. Moreover, a clinical laboratory assistant is also responsible for gathering necessary information before beginning studies and maintaining the laboratory's cleanliness and sanitation. It is vital to implement all the safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment.

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory assistant salary

Laboratory coordinators and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$52,690$32,679
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $72,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyAbbVieRoswell Park
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between laboratory coordinator and clinical laboratory assistant education

There are a few differences between a laboratory coordinator and a clinical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNew York University

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory coordinators' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.5% Female, 58.5%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between laboratory coordinator and clinical laboratory assistant 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

Clinical laboratory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve PHLEBOTOMY duties utilizing proper infection control techniques and perform a variety of laboratory tests.
  • Process specimen, recollect and deliver to chemistry, microbiology, molecular or hematology departments for testing.
  • Receive specimens for microbiology, histology, cytology, anatomic pathology and hematology tests/procedures, checks for proper identification and requisition.
  • Operate EKG and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Transfer of samples from racks to centrifuges and decant station.
  • Administer EKG's, clean wounds, draw labs, and apply dressings.
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Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory assistant skills

Common laboratory coordinator skills
  • Lab Equipment, 15%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Chemistry, 6%
  • Laboratory Safety, 3%
  • CLIA, 3%
Common clinical laboratory assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Phlebotomy, 14%
  • Clinical Lab, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Specimen Collection, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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