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Neuropsychologist vs certified medical technician

The differences between neuropsychologists 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 neuropsychologist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a neuropsychologist has an average salary of $94,580, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a neuropsychologist include rehabilitation, APA and veterans. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Neuropsychologist vs certified medical technician overview

NeuropsychologistCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$94,580$38,859
Hourly rate$45.47$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs11,651164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4744
Years of experience412

What does a neuropsychologist do?

Neuropsychologists are neurology experts who are responsible for conducting evaluations to characterize the behavioral and cognitive changes in the brain due to central nervous system disease or injury. These neuropsychologists must work with doctors and neurologists to evaluate and treat people who are diagnosed with various types of nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease. They must perform a variety of tests on patients suffering from problems with brain function to help assess the function problem. Neuropsychologists must also participate in training for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

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.

Neuropsychologist vs certified medical technician salary

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

NeuropsychologistCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$94,580$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $140,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateNevadaAlaska
Best paying companyHighmarkFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between neuropsychologist and certified medical technician education

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

NeuropsychologistCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorClinical PsychologyNursing
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkUniversity of Connecticut

Neuropsychologist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

NeuropsychologistCertified Medical Technician
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 26.6% Female, 73.4%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage20%8%

Differences between neuropsychologist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Neuropsychologist example responsibilities.

  • Provide consultation services to hospital staff including behavioral-management plans for brain-injure patients and co-treatment sessions with rehabilitation therapists.
  • Participate in training for PTSD and TBI treatment, group supervision, and program development working groups.
  • Develop program providing hospital base educational services for inpatient children and adolescents in acute TBI rehabilitation unit.
  • Develop cognitive behaviorally-base educational module for post-surgery patients.
  • Have some experience building outpatient programs within large scale neurosciences initiative, and would enjoy opportunities to expand this skill set.
  • Attend weekly meetings for DBT treatment providers.
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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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Neuropsychologist vs certified medical technician skills

Common neuropsychologist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 31%
  • APA, 13%
  • Veterans, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Brain Injury, 9%
  • TBI, 7%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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