Senior research specialist vs certified medical technician

The differences between senior research specialists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior research specialist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a senior research specialist has an average salary of $65,071, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a senior research specialist include data collection, research projects and data analysis. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Senior research specialist vs certified medical technician overview

	Senior Research Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$65,071	$38,859
Hourly rate	$31.28	$18.68
Growth rate	19%	5%
Number of jobs	57,586	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	37	44
Years of experience	6	12

What does a senior research specialist do?

Senior research specialists are professionals who manage a team of junior research specialists that develop objectives and design research projects and proposals. These senior specialists are required to conduct scientific experiments and perform data collection to provide test evaluation and research results. They are required to propose new techniques that could improve the research quality and productivity of the team while assisting in setting up new equipment. Senior research specialists must also develop standard operating procedures while adhering to the company's policies and safety guidelines to ensure safety in their workplace.

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.

Senior research specialist vs certified medical technician salary

Senior research specialists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Research Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$65,071	$38,859
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $99,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	VMware	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between senior research specialist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a senior research specialist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Senior Research Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Biology	Nursing
Most common college	University of Georgia	University of Connecticut

Senior research specialist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between senior research specialists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Senior Research Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	37	44
Gender ratio	Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.2% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	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	10%	8%

Differences between senior research specialist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Senior research specialist example responsibilities.

Manage expanding mouse colony including genotyping.
Perform sample preparation which includes DNA and RNA extraction, follow by conventional or real-time PCR.
Gel shifts - looking at the DNA binding to proteins.
Perform DNA extractions of plant tissue.
Attend weekly IRB meetings to take meeting minutes.
Conduct gene cloning; RNA probe labeling and purification.

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.

Senior research specialist vs certified medical technician skills

Common senior research specialist skills

Data Collection, 11%
Research Projects, 9%
Data Analysis, 5%
PI, 4%
Laboratory Equipment, 4%
Research Studies, 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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Senior Research Specialist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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