Physician extender vs certified medical technician

The differences between physician extenders and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a physician extender has an average salary of $244,718, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a physician extender include patients, patient care and medical care. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Physician extender vs certified medical technician overview

	Physician Extender	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$244,718	$38,859
Hourly rate	$117.65	$18.68
Growth rate	28%	5%
Number of jobs	73,599	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	39	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a physician extender do?

Physician extenders are not physicians. However, physician extenders perform a vital task in the overall care of patients. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, document and update patient records, consult patients, and perform physical exams. They may serve either as physician assistants or nurse practitioners. In becoming a physician extender, they must be a registered nurse or must have medical experience by working in the medical field even at a lower level. They need to be a regulatory agency certified and licensed instructor in their region or state.

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.

Physician extender vs certified medical technician salary

Physician extenders and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Physician Extender	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$244,718	$38,859
Salary range	Between $125,000 And $476,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Des Moines, IA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	New Mexico	Alaska
Best paying company	UnitedHealth Group	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Professional	Health Care

Differences between physician extender and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a physician extender and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Physician Extender	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Athletic Training	Nursing
Most common college	University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	University of Connecticut

Physician extender vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between physician extenders' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Physician Extender	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	39	44
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.5% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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 physician extender and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Physician extender example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Render emergency medical treatment and transport patients.
Initial reading of EKG's.
Assess patients' symptoms while conducting initial injury evaluation.
Work in an outpatient orthopedic clinic with emphasis on physical medicine, rehabilitation of both chronic and acute orthopedic conditions.
Perform wound care.perform laceration repair including suturing.

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.

Physician extender vs certified medical technician skills

Common physician extender skills

Patients, 43%
Patient Care, 15%
Medical Care, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%
Physical Therapy, 3%
Clinical Care, 3%

Common certified medical technician skills

Patients, 17%
Vital Signs, 12%
CPR, 8%
Administer Medications, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
HIPAA, 6%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Physician Extender
Physician Extender vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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