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Medical dosimetrist vs certified medical technician

The differences between medical dosimetrists 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 medical dosimetrist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical dosimetrist has an average salary of $116,829, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a medical dosimetrist include patients, dosimetry and oncology. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Medical dosimetrist vs certified medical technician overview

Medical DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$116,829$38,859
Hourly rate$56.17$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs47,581164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4244
Years of experience212

What does a medical dosimetrist do?

A medical dosimetrist is a health professional who plans radiation treatment for oncology patients. They with other members of the oncology team to oversee treatment implementation, offer support with radiation equipment, design radiation treatment for oncology patients, perform calculations to determine effective dosing, and create a treatment plan that will be reviewed by a physician. They are also sometimes required to teach at universities and participate in research laboratories.

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.

Medical dosimetrist vs certified medical technician salary

Medical dosimetrists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$116,829$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $179,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityFargo, NDDenton, TX
Highest paying stateUtahAlaska
Best paying companyBillings ClinicFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical dosimetrist and certified medical technician education

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

Medical DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Medical dosimetrist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Medical DosimetristCertified Medical Technician
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 46.2% Female, 53.8%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage17%8%

Differences between medical dosimetrist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Medical dosimetrist example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient charts in MOSAIQ record and verify system.
  • Gain experience in planning 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans as well as SBRT and SRS plans.
  • Conduct port management as necessary using IGRT, CBCT and electronic portal imaging.
  • Generate computerized treatment plans for cancer patients, providing manual patient dose calculation and computer verification.
  • Survey and complete paperwork on all brachytherapy cases.
  • Help establish, and grow the SRS program.
  • 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

Medical dosimetrist vs certified medical technician skills

Common medical dosimetrist skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Dosimetry, 10%
  • Oncology, 8%
  • Radiation Therapy, 7%
  • Eclipse, 5%
  • PET, 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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