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Med technician vs clinical technician

The differences between med technicians and clinical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a med technician has an average salary of $44,523, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.

The top three skills for a med technician include patients, med-tech and cleanliness. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.

Med technician vs clinical technician overview

Med TechnicianClinical Technician
Yearly salary$44,523$35,760
Hourly rate$21.41$17.19
Growth rate5%9%
Number of jobs141,154161,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3844
Years of experience-12

What does a med technician do?

Typically working in hospitals or private clinics, a med technician specializes in collecting blood or bodily fluids and analyzing them through laboratory tests. The results of these tests will be a vital factor in diagnosing a patient's condition and what treatment a physician should give. Moreover, a med technician is also responsible for producing accurate reports, reviewing data, coordinating with physicians and other health care workers, maintaining a clean and sanitized work environment, and adhering to the company's safety policies and standards.

What does a clinical technician do?

A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.

Med technician vs clinical technician salary

Med technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Med TechnicianClinical Technician
Average salary$44,523$35,760
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $63,000Between $26,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyChildren's Hospital of MichiganBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between med technician and clinical technician education

There are a few differences between a med technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:

Med TechnicianClinical Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Med technician vs clinical technician demographics

Here are the differences between med technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:

Med TechnicianClinical Technician
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 15.2% Female, 84.8%Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.1% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%8%

Differences between med technician and clinical technician duties and responsibilities

Med technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Measure heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood-oxygen level and electrocardiogram information using sophisticate equipment.
  • Work hematology, urinalysis and some serology on day shift.
  • Work in all aspects of the lab including: chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, blood bank, et.
  • Perform routine hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis testing.
  • Supervise caregivers, administer medications, assist elderly with daily rituals, care for memory care patients.
  • Show more

Clinical technician example responsibilities.

  • Prepare QC and QA samples for validity testing.
  • Resolve issues from level 1 EMR support as well as EMR issues transfer from other departments.
  • Recognize life threatening situations and activate the emergency response system while assisting with CPR and code cart.
  • Report and document description of patient care information in EMR in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
  • Participate in reviews and QC of external central laboratory contracts, sample kits and manuals and ensure accuracy.
  • Assist in advance and basic life support techniques, perform EKG's, blood withdrawal, and computer order entry.
  • Show more

Med technician vs clinical technician skills

Common med technician skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Med-Tech, 9%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Quality Care, 8%
  • Resident Care, 6%
Common clinical technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • EKG, 4%

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