Student physical therapist vs certified medical technician

The differences between student physical therapists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student physical therapist has an average salary of $73,003, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a student physical therapist include patients, occupational therapy and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Student physical therapist vs certified medical technician overview

	Student Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$73,003	$38,859
Hourly rate	$35.10	$18.68
Growth rate	17%	5%
Number of jobs	92,101	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	41	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a student physical therapist do?

A student physical therapist assists physicians in handling patients in a medical facility or a similar setting. As students, they typically follow directives and work under the supervision of a physical therapist. Besides assisting in treating patients, a student may also perform various clerical tasks such as filing paperwork, producing reports, running errands, managing schedules, responding to inquiries, and answering calls and correspondence. They may also coordinate with other hospital personnel and attend meetings, all while adhering to the medical facility's policies and standards.

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.

Student physical therapist vs certified medical technician salary

Student physical therapists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Student Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$73,003	$38,859
Salary range	Between $54,000 And $97,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between student physical therapist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a student physical therapist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Student Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Kinesiology	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Connecticut

Student physical therapist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between student physical therapists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Student Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	41	44
Gender ratio	Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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 student physical therapist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Student physical therapist example responsibilities.

Achieve high level of patients satisfaction due to sound clinical management, quality of care and compassion.
Evaluate and treat patients with total hip/total knee surgeries, status post CVA and spinal cord injuries.
Evaluate and treat patients with orthopedic conditions such as low back pain, cervical pain, post operative conditions.
Perform evaluations, provide patient treatment, supervise COTA
Develop ability to perform ICU mobility treatments with acutely ill patients.
Evaluate and treat patients in ICU implicating early mobilization to prevent further decline in cardiopulmonary compromise patients.

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.

Student physical therapist vs certified medical technician skills

Common student physical therapist skills

Patients, 31%
Occupational Therapy, 13%
Rehabilitation, 8%
Patient Care, 6%
Physical Therapy Assistants, 6%
Adaptive, 4%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

Student Physical Therapist vs. similar jobs

Student Physical Therapist related careers

Student Physical Therapist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Student Physical Therapist
Student Physical Therapist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs