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Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory assistant

The differences between medical technologist leads 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 medical technologist lead, becoming a clinical laboratory assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist lead has an average salary of $68,094, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a medical technologist lead include patients, clinical laboratory and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory assistant overview

Medical Technologist LeadClinical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$68,094$32,679
Hourly rate$32.74$15.71
Growth rate16%10%
Number of jobs125,848108,124
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a medical technologist lead do?

A Medical Technologist Lead oversees the daily operational activities and functions of a clinical laboratory. They ensure quality patient care in accordance with established professional, regulatory, and governmental standards.

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.

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory assistant salary

Medical technologist leads and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Technologist LeadClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$68,094$32,679
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $107,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CitySouthampton, NYAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyMayo ClinicRoswell Park
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between medical technologist lead and clinical laboratory assistant education

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

Medical Technologist LeadClinical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNew York University

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical technologist leads' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:

Medical Technologist LeadClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 33.2% Female, 66.8%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.5% 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 medical technologist lead and clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical technologist lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage stat and routine testing, ensuring sample integrity and interpretation data; notify physician of critical results.
  • Manage and facilitate manuscript preparation of oncology clinical trials results arising from currently market and pipeline drugs.
  • Accomplish patient assessment, vital sign and cardiac monitoring, phlebotomy, post-surgical evaluation, ventilator maintenance and physical therapy.
  • Evaluate and analyze patient samples in areas of clinical chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, immunology and toxicology.
  • Deliver emergency medical care to patients as indicated by medical control or patient care protocols.
  • Perform (QC) quality control, troubleshot and perform preventative maintenance on chemistry and hematology analyzers.
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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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Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory assistant skills

Common medical technologist lead skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 9%
  • Proficiency Testing, 6%
  • Hematology, 5%
  • Test Results, 4%
  • Microbiology, 4%
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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