Post job

Specimen technician vs certified pharmacist technician

The differences between specimen technicians and certified pharmacist technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a specimen technician has an average salary of $39,267, which is higher than the $37,059 average annual salary of a certified pharmacist technician.

The top three skills for a specimen technician include patients, data entry and medical terminology. The most important skills for a certified pharmacist technician are patients, direct supervision, and math.

Specimen technician vs certified pharmacist technician overview

Specimen TechnicianCertified Pharmacist Technician
Yearly salary$39,267$37,059
Hourly rate$18.88$17.82
Growth rate1%5%
Number of jobs79,207113,033
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4438
Years of experience12-

What does a specimen technician do?

A specimen technician is responsible for processing a human's medical sample and specimen in a laboratory setting to diagnose medical conditions and identify treatment plans. Specimen technicians operate various laboratory tools and equipment, requiring them to strictly adhere to safety guidelines and protocols to avoid potential hazards and potential disease contamination. They also record laboratory findings accurately and write comprehensive reports for the patients' and doctors' reference. A specimen technician may refer test results to other institutions for second opinions as needed for further investigation before the release of findings.

What does a certified pharmacist technician do?

A certified pharmacist technician is responsible for assisting patients by providing medicines based on their needs or their physicians' prescriptions. Certified pharmacist technicians must be able to supply the correct medications, including the right dosage to patients. They must also have a broad understanding of the medical industry, providing medicinal information to patients and referring them to the right health professionals as needed. Certified pharmacist technicians also monitor medicine inventories, manage supplies, and create sales reports.

Specimen technician vs certified pharmacist technician salary

Specimen technicians and certified pharmacist technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Specimen TechnicianCertified Pharmacist Technician
Average salary$39,267$37,059
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $53,000Between $27,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyIntegrated ResourcesDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between specimen technician and certified pharmacist technician education

There are a few differences between a specimen technician and a certified pharmacist technician in terms of educational background:

Specimen TechnicianCertified Pharmacist Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorBiologyPharmacy
Most common collegeNew York University-

Specimen technician vs certified pharmacist technician demographics

Here are the differences between specimen technicians' and certified pharmacist technicians' demographics:

Specimen TechnicianCertified Pharmacist Technician
Average age4438
Gender ratioMale, 30.6% Female, 69.4%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.1% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%5%

Differences between specimen technician and certified pharmacist technician duties and responsibilities

Specimen technician example responsibilities.

  • Enter and verify patient data in compliance with HIPAA guidelines.
  • Maintain HIPPA regulations, GCP, and GLP during daily functions.
  • Maintain high level of accuracy and adhere to all HIPPA regulations.
  • Complete paperwork pertaining to issues including TIQ's, NSR's, and OSHA compliance.
  • Maintain CLIA and HIPAA standards with regard to completing order testing, and the requested information provide by the client.
  • Perform EKG's and are head EKG tech training and checking off everyone on their ability to perform EKG's.
  • Show more

Certified pharmacist technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage return authorizations of expire and damage drugs to send back to vendor or Walgreens distribution center.
  • Secure and manage PYXIS systems during facility emergencies.
  • Manage assigned pharmacy workstations and tasks while supporting team members in promptly, safely and accurately filling patient prescriptions.
  • Experience in patient intake, data entry, dosage calculations, Rx clarification, billing, adjudicate claims, and dispensing.
  • Fill prescriptions under guidance a register pharmacist using intercom.
  • Fill PYXIS machines on every floor of the hospital in a timely and accurate manner
  • Show more

Specimen technician vs certified pharmacist technician skills

Common specimen technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Data Entry, 12%
  • Medical Terminology, 9%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Compliance Regulations, 6%
  • Production Environment, 6%
Common certified pharmacist technician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Direct Supervision, 10%
  • Math, 8%
  • Telephone Calls, 7%
  • Inventory Control, 4%
  • RX, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs