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Medical technologist-microbiology vs medical laboratory technician

The differences between medical technologist-microbiologies and medical 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 medical 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 $51,780 average annual salary of a medical laboratory technician.

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

Medical technologist-microbiology vs medical laboratory technician overview

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyMedical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$55,441$51,780
Hourly rate$26.65$24.89
Growth rate9%16%
Number of jobs113,35588,721
Job satisfaction-3.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Associate Degree, 55%
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 medical laboratory technician do?

A medical laboratory technician is responsible for assisting medical health professionals in conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and provide treatments. Medical laboratory technicians ensure the sanitation of all the tools and equipment before conducting tests. They collect adequate blood samples and specimens, analyze fluid elements, utilize laboratory equipment safely, create reports of findings, and alert medical personnel and medical technologists of emergency conditions. A medical laboratory technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry disciplines and processes to perform sensitive tasks and release accurate medical results.

Medical technologist-microbiology vs medical laboratory technician salary

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyMedical Laboratory Technician
Average salary$55,441$51,780
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $75,000Between $37,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVLos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMethodist Health SystemFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical technologist-microbiology and medical laboratory technician education

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyMedical Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Associate Degree, 55%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianClinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Medical technologist-microbiology vs medical laboratory technician demographics

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

Medical Technologist-MicrobiologyMedical Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 24.5% Female, 75.5%Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between medical technologist-microbiology and medical 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.
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Medical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing office functions through strong knowledge of PACS, Fuji CR, and EMR systems.
  • Accomplish constant multitasking between phlebotomy, reception and lab on a daily basis while providing outstanding customer communication skills.
  • Conduct clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and specimen analysis in hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, serology and immunology.
  • Experience in the areas of chemistry, hematology, serology, urinalysis, coagulation and microbiology specimen preparation.
  • Serve as rotational general laboratory technician in urinalysis, serology, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, and shipping.
  • Pass and receive ASCP MLT certification upon graduation.
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Medical technologist-microbiology vs medical 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 medical laboratory technician skills
  • Medical Laboratory, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • ASCP, 9%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 8%
  • MLT, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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