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Technical specialist, cytology vs clinical technician

The differences between technical specialists, cytology and clinical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a technical specialist, cytology and a clinical technician. Additionally, a technical specialist, cytology has an average salary of $54,859, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.

The top three skills for a technical specialist, cytology include clinical laboratory, non-gyn and FNA. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.

Technical specialist, cytology vs clinical technician overview

Technical Specialist, CytologyClinical Technician
Yearly salary$54,859$35,760
Hourly rate$26.37$17.19
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs71,647161,812
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Technical specialist, cytology vs clinical technician salary

Technical specialists, cytology and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical Specialist, CytologyClinical Technician
Average salary$54,859$35,760
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $73,000Between $26,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and clinical technician education

There are a few differences between a technical specialist, cytology and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:

Technical Specialist, CytologyClinical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Technical specialist, cytology vs clinical technician demographics

Here are the differences between technical specialists, cytology' and clinical technicians' demographics:

Technical Specialist, CytologyClinical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.2% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and clinical technician duties and responsibilities

Technical specialist, cytology example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise the operations of the cytology department.
  • Perform QC and QA of all slides process.
  • Numbered, stain and cover slip all GYN and non-GYN specimens.
  • Prepare GYN and Non-GYN specimens, make slides, and stain for cytologist and pathologist to interpret.
  • Work with Thinprep and Surepath cytology and pathology preparations.
  • Initiate and implement projects for cost reduction, productivity improvement, and increase equipment availability/reliability and to meet ISO compliance.
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Clinical technician example responsibilities.

  • Prepare QC and QA samples for validity testing.
  • Resolve issues from level 1 EMR support as well as EMR issues transfer from other departments.
  • Recognize life threatening situations and activate the emergency response system while assisting with CPR and code cart.
  • Report and document description of patient care information in EMR in accordance with hospital policy and procedure.
  • Participate in reviews and QC of external central laboratory contracts, sample kits and manuals and ensure accuracy.
  • Assist in advance and basic life support techniques, perform EKG's, blood withdrawal, and computer order entry.
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Technical specialist, cytology vs clinical technician skills

Common technical specialist, cytology skills
  • Clinical Laboratory, 22%
  • Non-Gyn, 18%
  • FNA, 9%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Cell Samples, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Common clinical technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • Direct Patient Care, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • EKG, 4%

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