Patient access associate vs certified medical technician

The differences between patient access associates 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 patient access associate, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $35,388 average annual salary of a patient access associate.

The top three skills for a patient access associate include patients, customer service and insurance verification. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Patient access associate vs certified medical technician overview

	Patient Access Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$35,388	$38,859
Hourly rate	$17.01	$18.68
Growth rate	-4%	5%
Number of jobs	85,997	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	4	12

What does a patient access associate do?

A patient access associate serves as a patient's primary point of contact in a physician's office or medical facility. Their responsibilities include greeting and checking in patients, gathering patient data, collecting billing information and medical history, and providing assistance in filling-up forms and necessary documents. They may also address and answer patient inquiries, explaining the protocols and other information as needed. Furthermore, as a patient access associate, it is essential to perform administrative tasks such as keeping records and updating databases, all while maintaining an active communication line with nurses and physicians.

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.

Patient access associate vs certified medical technician salary

Patient access associates and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Access Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$35,388	$38,859
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $51,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Raymond James Financial	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between patient access associate and certified medical technician education

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

	Patient Access Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Connecticut

Patient access associate vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between patient access associates' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Patient Access Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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	7%	8%

Differences between patient access associate and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Patient access associate example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
Coordinate scheduling, cross-checking, billing, explaining HIPAA, and care savings programs to patients.
Register patients for outpatient laboratory and/or radiology services.
Collect and update demographic and insurance information from emergency room and labor and delivery patients for registration and/or admissions.
Interview patients and ensure accuracy of all information necessary, including demographic information, insurance verification, and insurance authorizations.
Follow EMTALA, HIPAA, payer and other applicable regulations and standards for registration.

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.

Patient access associate vs certified medical technician skills

Common patient access associate skills

Patients, 23%
Customer Service, 15%
Insurance Verification, 8%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Patient Care, 5%
Insurance Coverage, 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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Patient Access Associate
Patient Access Associate vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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