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Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory technician

The differences between medical technologist-microbiologies 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-microbiology, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist-microbiology has an average salary of $55,441, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a medical technologist-microbiology include ASCP, clinical laboratory and test results. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.

Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory technician overview

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$55,441$50,756
Hourly rate$26.65$24.40
Growth rate9%-
Number of jobs113,355119,050
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 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-microbiology vs clinical laboratory technician salary

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Technician
Average salary$55,441$50,756
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $75,000Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVStockton, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMethodist Health SystemClaxton Hepburn
Best paying industryHealth CareMedia

Differences between medical technologist-microbiology and clinical laboratory technician education

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNew York University

Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory technician demographics

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyClinical Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 24.5% Female, 75.5%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between medical technologist-microbiology and clinical laboratory technician 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.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Medical technologist-microbiology vs clinical laboratory technician 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 technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Hematology, 5%
  • Body Fluids, 4%
  • Proficiency Testing, 4%

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