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Registered nurse charge nurse vs certified medical technician

The differences between registered nurses charge nurses and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a registered nurse charge nurse, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a registered nurse charge nurse has an average salary of $71,342, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a registered nurse charge nurse include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs certified medical technician overview

Registered Nurse Charge NurseCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$71,342$38,859
Hourly rate$34.30$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs645,134164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a registered nurse charge nurse do?

A registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.

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.

Registered nurse charge nurse vs certified medical technician salary

Registered nurses charge nurses and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered Nurse Charge NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$71,342$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $110,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CADenton, TX
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyAlameda Health SystemFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a registered nurse charge nurse and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Registered Nurse Charge NurseCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Registered nurse charge nurse vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between registered nurses charge nurses' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Registered Nurse Charge NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% 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 Percentage9%8%

Differences between registered nurse charge nurse and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Registered nurse charge nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage intravenous therapy via peripheral and central catheters; antibiotic, TPN/lipid, constant cardiac medication infusion and fluid administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Assess and carefully monitor medically diverse patients who require telemetry and safely administer medications.
  • Collaborate with ICU team to provide excellent patient care utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-base practice.
  • Document patient medical history and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and follow-up with patients during rehabilitation.
  • Respond to codes, administering CPR and oxygen, monitoring vitals and preparing medications in anticipation of physician orders.
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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.
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Registered nurse charge nurse vs certified medical technician skills

Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 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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