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Orthopedic assistant vs certified medical technician

The differences between orthopedic assistants and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an orthopedic assistant and a certified medical technician. Additionally, an orthopedic assistant has an average salary of $55,766, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an orthopedic assistant include patients, patient care and EMR. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Orthopedic assistant vs certified medical technician overview

Orthopedic AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$55,766$38,859
Hourly rate$26.81$18.68
Growth rate16%5%
Number of jobs49,054164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3744
Years of experience1212

Orthopedic assistant vs certified medical technician salary

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

Orthopedic AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$55,766$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $86,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Denton, TX
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between orthopedic assistant and certified medical technician education

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

Orthopedic AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Orthopedic assistant vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Orthopedic AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 45.4% Female, 54.6%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between orthopedic assistant and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Orthopedic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient files by making new charts, keying all encounters through ICD-9 coding procedures and posting in patient database.
  • Perform physical examinations of patients and conduct their medical interviews.
  • Apply and remove casts and splints to fractures.
  • Interpret radiographs, bone scans and MRI's.
  • Sterilize instruments and perform spore testing; ensure OSHA and HIPAA compliance.
  • Cast room technician, apply upper and lower extremity splints and braces to adults and children.
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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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Orthopedic assistant vs certified medical technician skills

Common orthopedic assistant skills
  • Patients, 35%
  • Patient Care, 15%
  • EMR, 6%
  • Injections, 5%
  • Traction, 5%
  • Splints, 5%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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