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Public health assistant vs certified medical technician

The differences between public health assistants 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 public health assistant and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $38,433 average annual salary of a public health assistant.

The top three skills for a public health assistant include NYC, school health and patients. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Public health assistant vs certified medical technician overview

Public Health AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$38,433$38,859
Hourly rate$18.48$18.68
Growth rate16%5%
Number of jobs105,104164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3744
Years of experience1212

What does a public health assistant do?

Public Health Assistants will require good communication, teamwork, initiative, interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills for this career choice, as well as a strong work ethic and the ability to be flexible and adaptable. Applicants can expect a payout of around $34K per year in this career choice, which will also require a diploma or GED, plus a master's degree in public health, after which they will be required to improve individual and societal health by monitoring healthy lifestyles, as well as practice preventative measures for injuries and disease and controlling infectious diseases. Their health concerns range from small communities to the entire planet.

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.

Public health assistant vs certified medical technician salary

Public health assistants and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Health AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$38,433$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MADenton, TX
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyEmory HealthcareFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryNon ProfitsHealth Care

Differences between public health assistant and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a public health assistant and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Public Health AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorPublic HealthNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Public health assistant vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between public health assistants' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Public Health AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 21.6% Female, 78.4%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 9.3% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage6%8%

Differences between public health assistant and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Public health assistant example responsibilities.

  • Monitor / enforce OSHA standards and coordinate / lead daily, weekly, and monthly safety meetings to educate staff.
  • Adhere to all Hippa policy.
  • Adhere to HIPAA policies and procedures.
  • Fax medical records and various documents following strict HIPPA guidelines and regulations.
  • Note and report safety hazards discover on patrol and stand by until condition is redirected.
  • Research and identify activities and specialize diets that will help elderly diabetic patients improve their metabolic health.
  • Show more

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

Public health assistant vs certified medical technician skills

Common public health assistant skills
  • NYC, 12%
  • School Health, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Health Education, 6%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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