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Medical laboratory technologist internship vs certified medical technician

The differences between medical laboratory technologist interns 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 laboratory technologist internship, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $37,088 average annual salary of a medical laboratory technologist internship.

The top three skills for a medical laboratory technologist internship include lab equipment, patients and microbiology. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Medical laboratory technologist internship vs certified medical technician overview

Medical Laboratory Technologist InternshipCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$37,088$38,859
Hourly rate$17.83$18.68
Growth rate16%5%
Number of jobs169,421164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a medical laboratory technologist internship do?

A medical laboratory technologist intern is responsible for assisting laboratory technologists in performing examinations and medical procedures. Medical laboratory technologist interns perform administrative duties under the supervision of a medical professional such as collecting laboratory samples, sending out reports, responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, and ensuring the adequacy of laboratory inventories. They also maintain the cleanliness of the facility, including the sterilization of equipment and segregation of disposable materials to avoid contamination and potential hazards that may affect medical results and processes.

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 laboratory technologist internship vs certified medical technician salary

Medical laboratory technologist interns and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Laboratory Technologist InternshipCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$37,088$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $52,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Denton, TX
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical laboratory technologist internship and certified medical technician education

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

Medical Laboratory Technologist InternshipCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorClinical/Medical Laboratory ScienceNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Connecticut

Medical laboratory technologist internship vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Medical Laboratory Technologist InternshipCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 45.9% Female, 54.1%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 14.2% White, 53.1% 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 medical laboratory technologist internship and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Medical laboratory technologist internship example responsibilities.

  • Operate and manage standard quality control on laboratory equipment as well as some specialize equipment for serology studies.
  • Work in all departments of the general hospital laboratory including hematology, chemistry, blood bank, urinalysis, microbiology.
  • Demonstrate ability in areas of chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, serology, histology and bacteriology.
  • Perform immunology and serology testing.
  • Perform PCR on a daily basis.
  • Introduce to virology testing and PCR analysis.
  • 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 laboratory technologist internship vs certified medical technician skills

Common medical laboratory technologist internship skills
  • Lab Equipment, 11%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Microbiology, 7%
  • Hematology, 7%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 7%
  • Urinalysis, 6%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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