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Surgery technician vs health technician

The differences between surgery technicians and health technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgery technician has an average salary of $41,646, which is higher than the $37,873 average annual salary of a health technician.

The top three skills for a surgery technician include patients, patient care and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a health technician are patients, excellent interpersonal, and customer service.

Surgery technician vs health technician overview

Surgery TechnicianHealth Technician
Yearly salary$41,646$37,873
Hourly rate$20.02$18.21
Growth rate20%9%
Number of jobs83,376110,277
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age3234
Years of experience12-

What does a surgery technician do?

A surgery technician plays a vital role in the success of medical surgeries. They are primarily in charge of performing essential support tasks such as sanitizing and preparing operating rooms, setting-up equipment, sterilizing instruments, and ensuring that supplies are accurate and adequate. They also prepare patients before surgeries, assist surgeons by handing out supplies or tools, and participate in transporting the patients from one room to another. Moreover, they must maintain an active communication line with nurses and surgeons, coordinating every step of the way.

What does a health technician do?

A health technician is responsible for supporting medical operations in a health care facility by performing administrative and clerical duties, ensuring that the organization provides the highest quality care service to the patients. Health technicians process patients' information, manage their medical payments, monitor their conditions as instructed by physicians, maintain an organized medical chart, administer medication, and assist in conducting medical procedures. They also check the adequacy of stock inventories and write request reports, as well as inspecting the cleanliness of all the medical tools and equipment during operations.

Surgery technician vs health technician salary

Surgery technicians and health technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgery TechnicianHealth Technician
Average salary$41,646$37,873
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $55,000Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between surgery technician and health technician education

There are a few differences between a surgery technician and a health technician in terms of educational background:

Surgery TechnicianHealth Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityEmory University

Surgery technician vs health technician demographics

Here are the differences between surgery technicians' and health technicians' demographics:

Surgery TechnicianHealth Technician
Average age3234
Gender ratioMale, 26.3% Female, 73.7%Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 2.1% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage9%15%

Differences between surgery technician and health technician duties and responsibilities

Surgery technician example responsibilities.

  • Sterilized/packed surgical instruments, prepare large and small animal patients for surgery, assist with surgical procedures.
  • Use compassion when client's pets have passed away or need to be euthanize due to loss of quality of life.
  • Assist in positioning and supporting patients for regional anesthesia procedures such as spinal and epidurals.
  • Qualify to administer and monitor anesthesia, and assist in surgical procedures, including preparatory and post-op care.
  • Work closely with clients, other staff and Dr. Faulkner.

Health technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage medical and administrative records for all patients assign to clinic area to assure accurate care and patient confidentiality.
  • Supervise labs, diets, schedule radiology procedures, EKG's, respiratory, and medical tasks for patients.
  • Can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and/or initiate appropriate emergency alert notifications.
  • Administer ABA therapy for children with autism and provide support for other technicians when not with own clients.
  • Assist providers in direct physical examinations, minor procedures, emergency care to include CPR, and other clinical duties.
  • Assist children with autism spectrum disorders in learning life still and helping them transition successfully in all aspects of their lives.
  • Show more

Surgery technician vs health technician skills

Common surgery technician skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 17%
  • Surgical Procedures, 11%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Infection Control, 3%
  • Surgical Instruments, 3%
Common health technician skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%

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