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Pediatric occupational therapist vs certified medical technician

The differences between pediatric occupational therapists 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 a pediatric occupational therapist and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a pediatric occupational therapist has an average salary of $82,293, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a pediatric occupational therapist include patients, rehabilitation and patient care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Pediatric occupational therapist vs certified medical technician overview

Pediatric Occupational TherapistCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$82,293$38,859
Hourly rate$39.56$18.68
Growth rate14%5%
Number of jobs90,520164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4044
Years of experience1212

What does a pediatric occupational therapist do?

A pediatric occupational therapist is a health care professional who works directly with children, helping them develop essential skills and lead an active life. Part of their job is to meet with patients to identify their needs through various assessments and examinations, conduct extensive research and analyses, and create treatment plans and strategies to develop the children's cognitive and social skills, motor functions, and other abilities to help them grow healthy. Moreover, a pediatric occupational therapist coordinates with parents or guardians, providing them with the necessary care advice.

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.

Pediatric occupational therapist vs certified medical technician salary

Pediatric occupational therapists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pediatric Occupational TherapistCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$82,293$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $105,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityVisalia, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyProvidence Health & ServicesFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryInternetHealth Care

Differences between pediatric occupational therapist and certified medical technician education

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

Pediatric Occupational TherapistCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorOccupational TherapyNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Pediatric occupational therapist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between pediatric occupational therapists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Pediatric Occupational TherapistCertified Medical Technician
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 11.0% Female, 89.0%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.1% Asian, 10.1% White, 75.0% 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 Percentage14%8%

Differences between pediatric occupational therapist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Pediatric occupational therapist example responsibilities.

  • Participate in IEP planning and goal writing for students to help them achieve as much academic success as possible.
  • Train PRN staff on Medicare / Medicaid reimbursement documentation and facility policies.
  • Apply sensory integration approach with children to promote adaptive responses for improve interactions within environments.
  • Create and implement skil occupational therapy services with pediatric patients to promote safety and independence with their occupational performance.
  • Oversee COTA (s) and direct plan of care.
  • Supervise COTA's and students.
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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.
  • Show more

Pediatric occupational therapist vs certified medical technician skills

Common pediatric occupational therapist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • COTA, 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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