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Mental health specialist vs certified medical technician

The differences between mental health specialists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a mental health specialist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a mental health specialist include patients, social work and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Mental health specialist vs certified medical technician overview

Mental Health SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$47,321$38,859
Hourly rate$22.75$18.68
Growth rate9%5%
Number of jobs131,449164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4544
Years of experience412

What does a mental health specialist do?

A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.

What does a certified medical technician do?

Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.

Mental health specialist vs certified medical technician salary

Mental health specialists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Mental Health SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$47,321$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $71,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyResearch Foundation For Mental Hygiene IncFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between mental health specialist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a mental health specialist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Mental Health SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorPsychologyNursing
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Connecticut

Mental health specialist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between mental health specialists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Mental Health SpecialistCertified Medical Technician
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 32.9% Female, 67.1%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage15%8%

Differences between mental health specialist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Mental health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Assist and encourage patients with ADL's including feeding, ambulating, and hygiene to promote patient care.
  • Utilize rehabilitation principles to support individuals, families and communities in developing effective strategies to improve client mental health functioning.
  • Provide psychological care to patients in an in-patient psych unit, including facilitating group activities, crisis intervention, implementing therapeutic approaches
  • Meet physical requirements to complete SAMA and CPR training.
  • Provide kindness and compassion to the deceased and their families.
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Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
  • Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
  • Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
  • Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
  • Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.
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Mental health specialist vs certified medical technician skills

Common mental health specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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