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Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory assistant

The differences between medical technologist-microbiologies 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-microbiology, becoming a clinical laboratory assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist-microbiology has an average salary of $55,441, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a medical technologist-microbiology include ASCP, clinical laboratory and test results. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.

Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory assistant overview

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$55,441$32,679
Hourly rate$26.65$15.71
Growth rate9%10%
Number of jobs113,355108,124
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a medical technologist-microbiology do?

A Medical Technologist-Microbiology helps in the detection and diagnosis of diseases and infections through appropriate laboratory analyses. They perform a wide range of virological, mycological, bacteriological, and parasitological tests to provide information on the causes and progress of diseases.

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-microbiology vs clinical laboratory assistant salary

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$55,441$32,679
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $75,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMethodist Health SystemRoswell Park
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between medical technologist-microbiology and clinical laboratory assistant education

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNew York University

Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory assistant demographics

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 24.5% Female, 75.5%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.6% 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-microbiology and clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical technologist-microbiology example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing office functions through strong knowledge of PACS, Fuji CR, and EMR systems.
  • Ensure work meet applicable standards including GLP and/or USP and AAMI.
  • Work in serology and immunology doing rapid tests such as HIV, RPR and HBsAg.
  • Follow CLIA, HIPPA, OSHA, and safety protocols as described in their respective guidelines.
  • Learned, experience, and specialize in all the routine benches of a large clinical microbiology and immunology laboratory.
  • Prepare patient samples for lab analysis normally through dilution, centrifugation and inoculation per orders.
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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-microbiology vs clinical laboratory assistant skills

Common medical technologist-microbiology skills
  • ASCP, 11%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 11%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Medical Technology, 7%
  • Specimen Handling, 5%
  • Chemistry, 5%
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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