Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory technician

The differences between medical technologist leads and clinical laboratory 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 technologist lead, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist lead has an average salary of $68,094, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a medical technologist lead include patients, clinical laboratory and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory technician overview

	Medical Technologist Lead	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$68,094	$50,756
Hourly rate	$32.74	$24.40
Growth rate	16%	-
Number of jobs	125,848	119,050
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	12

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 technician do?

A clinical laboratory technician typically works under the direction of a physician or medical technologist to perform tests that will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and illnesses. You will perform various duties, including preparing samples for analysis, monitoring tests and procedures, and matching blood for transfusion. Additionally, you are expected to participate in staff training and educational opportunities and contribute to a secure and safe environment for patients, physicians, co-workers, and visitors. This role will also require ensuring that laboratory information remains confidential.

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory technician salary

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

	Medical Technologist Lead	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$68,094	$50,756
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $107,000	Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Southampton, NY	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Mayo Clinic	Claxton Hepburn
Best paying industry	Health Care	Media

Differences between medical technologist lead and clinical laboratory technician education

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

	Medical Technologist Lead	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	New York University

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory technician demographics

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

	Medical Technologist Lead	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between medical technologist lead and clinical laboratory technician 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.

Clinical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Provide oversight of training and competency testing of technicians to ensure compliance with CLIA, HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Collect, process, and analyze clinical specimens for several departments including microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis
Experience working in a hospital laboratory in automate chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis, and immunology departments.
Dispose of biohazard wastes according to OSHA standards ..
Screen blood products for pathogens and co-treatment success.

Medical technologist lead vs clinical laboratory technician skills

Common medical technologist lead skills

Patients, 22%
Clinical Laboratory, 9%
Proficiency Testing, 6%
Hematology, 5%
Test Results, 4%
Microbiology, 4%

Common clinical laboratory technician skills

Patients, 16%
Test Results, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Hematology, 5%
Body Fluids, 4%
Proficiency Testing, 4%

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Medical Technologist Lead
Medical Technologist Lead vs Clinical Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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