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Outpatient psychiatrist vs certified medical technician

The differences between outpatient psychiatrists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an outpatient psychiatrist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an outpatient psychiatrist has an average salary of $252,897, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an outpatient psychiatrist include medication management, EMR and outpatient clinic. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Outpatient psychiatrist vs certified medical technician overview

Outpatient PsychiatristCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$252,897$38,859
Hourly rate$121.59$18.68
Growth rate7%5%
Number of jobs9,279164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4844
Years of experience612

What does an outpatient psychiatrist do?

Outpatient psychiatrists are medical professionals who are responsible for providing diagnosis, treatment, and prevention plans for outpatients with mental health problems as well as substance use disorders. These psychiatrists are required to supervise psychiatry residents with outpatient psychotherapy and medication management while working with patients at the psychiatry wards. They must coordinate with insurance providers so that they can provide all the required information that is necessary to process payments for patient care. Outpatient psychiatrists must also supervise clinical professionals who are involved in mental health such as social workers and behavioral health technicians.

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.

Outpatient psychiatrist vs certified medical technician salary

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

Outpatient PsychiatristCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$252,897$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $156,000 And $407,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySammamish, WADenton, TX
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyAllina HealthFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between outpatient psychiatrist and certified medical technician education

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

Outpatient PsychiatristCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorMedicineNursing
Most common collegeVanderbilt UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Outpatient psychiatrist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Outpatient PsychiatristCertified Medical Technician
Average age4844
Gender ratioMale, 67.6% Female, 32.4%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 19.4% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%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 Percentage10%8%

Differences between outpatient psychiatrist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Outpatient psychiatrist example responsibilities.

  • Research of medical management using motivational interviewing and psychotherapy with Hispanic patients treating depression and anxiety disorders.
  • Conduct full neurological evaluation, including lab, MRI & /or 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.
  • Show more

Outpatient psychiatrist vs certified medical technician skills

Common outpatient psychiatrist skills
  • Medication Management, 44%
  • EMR, 29%
  • Outpatient Clinic, 22%
  • Detox, 4%
  • Psychopharmacology, 2%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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