Neurodiagnostic technologist vs certified medical technician

The differences between neurodiagnostic 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 neurodiagnostic technologist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a neurodiagnostic technologist has an average salary of $55,992, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a neurodiagnostic technologist include patients, patient care and epilepsy. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Neurodiagnostic technologist vs certified medical technician overview

	Neurodiagnostic Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$55,992	$38,859
Hourly rate	$26.92	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	64,188	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a neurodiagnostic technologist do?

A neurodiagnostic technician specializes in operating digital medical equipment and running tests such as electroencephalograms and polysomnograms to help physicians diagnose brain abnormalities and nervous system issues. Among their responsibilities include assisting patients by reviewing their medical information and history, explaining the extent of tests and procedures, letting them know what they are about to feel and experience, and making them feel comfortable in every process. Moreover, a neurodiagnostic technician must present the results to the physicians accurately and promptly.

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.

Neurodiagnostic technologist vs certified medical technician salary

Neurodiagnostic technologists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Neurodiagnostic Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$55,992	$38,859
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $100,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Carmichael, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	UofL Hospital	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Technology	Health Care

Differences between neurodiagnostic technologist and certified medical technician education

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

	Neurodiagnostic Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Psychology	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Connecticut

Neurodiagnostic technologist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between neurodiagnostic technologists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Neurodiagnostic Technologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 9.3% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	10%	8%

Differences between neurodiagnostic technologist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Neurodiagnostic technologist example responsibilities.

Open and close department independently and also assist surgical staff by managing QC and providing radiopharmaceuticals as needed for procedures.
Score sleep stages, seizures, respiratory, and clinical events by applying AASM guidelines.
Maintain safe, clean EEG lab and equipment as well as EEG and EKG supplies.
Perform EKG and EEG procedures.
Perform diagnostic, split and titration studies.
Conduct tests or studies such as electroencephalography (EEG).

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.

Neurodiagnostic technologist vs certified medical technician skills

Common neurodiagnostic technologist skills

Patients, 28%
Patient Care, 12%
Epilepsy, 8%
Intraoperative, 6%
CPR, 6%
Nerve Conduction Studies, 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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Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Neurodiagnostic Technologist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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