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Telemetry nurse vs certified medical technician

The differences between telemetry nurses and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a telemetry nurse, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a telemetry nurse has an average salary of $77,351, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a telemetry nurse include patients, BLS and acls. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Telemetry nurse vs certified medical technician overview

Telemetry NurseCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$77,351$38,859
Hourly rate$37.19$18.68
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs439,518164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience212

What does a telemetry nurse do?

A Telemetry Nurse is a specialized nurse who monitors the patients under their watch by making use of remote electronic signals that are sensitive to any change in cardiac rhythm. You will be tasked with monitoring the internal functions and vital signs of a patient. These signs under monitoring include blood pressure, heart rhythms, oxygen saturation, and respiration. Your basic duty is to ensure that you closely observe the patient and get proper readings and measurements from the medical equipment.

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.

Telemetry nurse vs certified medical technician salary

Telemetry nurses and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telemetry NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$77,351$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $123,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYDenton, TX
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyDignity HealthFavorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between telemetry nurse and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a telemetry nurse and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

Telemetry NurseCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Telemetry nurse vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry nurses' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Telemetry NurseCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 16.5% Female, 83.5%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage9%8%

Differences between telemetry nurse and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Telemetry nurse example responsibilities.

  • Care for patients with a variety of cardiac issues and manage disease through drip management and interpretation of EKG's.
  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Apply the nursing process in a teaching hospital to patients in an ICU setting.
  • Discharge patients; disconnect IVs/telemetry devices and provide patient teaching on wind care, medication regimens, rehabilitation and other topics.
  • Well verse in identifying basic ECG rhythms and arrhythmia's.
  • Perform patient assessment, tele monitoring, cardiac arrhythmia treatment.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Telemetry nurse vs certified medical technician skills

Common telemetry nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 16%
  • Acls, 11%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Heart Rate, 5%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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