Multi-modality technologist vs certified medical technician

The differences between multi-modality technologists and certified medical 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 multi-modality technologist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a multi-modality technologist has an average salary of $52,354, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a multi-modality technologist include patients, BLS and multi. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Multi-modality technologist vs certified medical technician overview

	Multi-Modality Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$52,354	$38,859
Hourly rate	$25.17	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	56,585	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a multi-modality technologist do?

Multi-modality technologists focus on the imaging needed for medical diagnosis. The task of a multi-modality technologist is to conduct radiology exams and other diagnostic procedures requested by doctors. A multi-modality technologist's main goal is to ensure that all diagnostic requests are accomplished accurately to help doctors give a prescription. In a healthcare facility, accurate testing and diagnosis is a necessity. It is the main reason why technologists are essential in many hospitals and laboratories.

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.

Multi-modality technologist vs certified medical technician salary

Multi-modality technologists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Multi-Modality Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$52,354	$38,859
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $96,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Alhambra, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Enbridge	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Transportation	Health Care

Differences between multi-modality technologist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a multi-modality technologist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Multi-Modality Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Nursing
Most common college	Emory University	University of Connecticut

Multi-modality technologist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between multi-modality technologists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Multi-Modality Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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 Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between multi-modality technologist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Multi-modality technologist example responsibilities.

Manage paperwork including scanning into PACS to be interpret by radiologists.
Connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
Open and close department independently and also assist surgical staff by managing QC and providing radiopharmaceuticals as needed for procedures.
Complete duties such as electrocardiography and phlebotomy as well as basic patient care.
Perform EKG's, blood glucose monitoring, specimen collection, dressing changes, colostomy care and documentation of vital signs.
Complete MQSA inspections, ACR mammography accreditation's.

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.

Multi-modality technologist vs certified medical technician skills

Common multi-modality technologist skills

Patients, 21%
BLS, 11%
Multi, 8%
ARRT, 7%
MRI, 4%
Ultrasound, 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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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Multi-Modality Technologist
Multi-Modality Technologist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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