Orthopedic nurse practitioner vs certified medical technician

The differences between orthopedic nurse practitioners 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 an orthopedic nurse practitioner, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an orthopedic nurse practitioner has an average salary of $98,419, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an orthopedic nurse practitioner include patients, surgery and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Orthopedic nurse practitioner vs certified medical technician overview

	Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$98,419	$38,859
Hourly rate	$47.32	$18.68
Growth rate	40%	5%
Number of jobs	29,367	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does an orthopedic nurse practitioner do?

An orthopedic nurse practitioner is a specialized nurse who works with an orthopedic physician to care for and treat patients with musculoskeletal problems. Orthopedic nurse practitioners care for orthopedic patients with problems such as broken bones, arthritis, joint replacements, or osteoporosis. Orthopedic nurse practitioners may conduct physical exams on patients, record patient history, monitor treatment, and prescriptions, and analyze results. Orthopedic nurse practitioners also coordinate the care of patients outside a hospital or physician facility.

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.

Orthopedic nurse practitioner vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$98,419	$38,859
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $186,000	Between $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 nurse practitioner and certified medical technician education

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

	Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Connecticut

Orthopedic nurse practitioner vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	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	12%	8%

Differences between orthopedic nurse practitioner and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Orthopedic nurse practitioner example responsibilities.

Experience in managing type 2 DM, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, COPD, sleep apnea, and asthma.
Specialize in post-operative care and rehabilitation, in coordination with physical therapy department.
Perform in-office procedures, such as dermal shave, punch biopsy and cryotherapy.
Educate, instruct, and support new or experience bedside nurses in the Neurosurgical ICU.
Assist in biopsy and skin removal procedures including MOHS surgery, cryotherapy, laser, injections and sutures.
Educate patients and family on patient specific diagnosis, therapeutic regimens and pain management techniques including patient control analgesia.

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.

Orthopedic nurse practitioner vs certified medical technician skills

Common orthopedic nurse practitioner skills

Patients, 40%
Surgery, 11%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Patient Education, 6%
Medical History, 4%
Spine, 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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Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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