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Telemetry technician vs nurse technician

The differences between telemetry technicians and nurse 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 technician, becoming a nurse technician takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a telemetry technician has an average salary of $35,758, which is higher than the $33,005 average annual salary of a nurse technician.

The top three skills for a telemetry technician include patients, EKG and patient care. The most important skills for a nurse technician are patients, CPR, and vital signs.

Telemetry technician vs nurse technician overview

Telemetry TechnicianNurse Technician
Yearly salary$35,758$33,005
Hourly rate$17.19$15.87
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs63,712195,553
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4542
Years of experience23

What does a telemetry technician do?

A telemetry technician is responsible for operating the telemetry machine to identify patients' heart rates and rhythms. Telemetry technicians monitor the patients' heart condition by attaching medical equipment to the patients' chest and record findings for the doctor's reference. They also assist with related medical operations and treatment procedures and discuss the processes with the patient. A telemetry technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in sorting clients' records and medical treatment plans.

What does a nurse technician do?

Nurse technicians, also known as nursing aides, assistants, or attendants, usually work in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Primarily, they help a registered nurse by providing essential mobility, care, and support to patients. Everyday routine duties include maintaining patients' hygiene and moving them using wheelchairs or stretchers around the facility for their meals, treatment, events, and other activities. They do tasks that help improve a patient's comfort level and become their caregivers in the long run. This job requires a high school diploma along with the completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.

Telemetry technician vs nurse technician salary

Telemetry technicians and nurse technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telemetry TechnicianNurse Technician
Average salary$35,758$33,005
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $44,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaOregon
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyCarondelet High School
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between telemetry technician and nurse technician education

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

Telemetry TechnicianNurse Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory University-

Telemetry technician vs nurse technician demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry technicians' and nurse technicians' demographics:

Telemetry TechnicianNurse Technician
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 37.4% Female, 62.6%Male, 16.9% Female, 83.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between telemetry technician and nurse technician duties and responsibilities

Telemetry technician example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients being monitor while in the ICU and the Med/Surge unit and reporting any abnormal findings to the RN.
  • Monitor patients and administer EKG.
  • Utilize varied medical equipment including telemetry monitors, vital sign monitors and lifting equipment to care for patients.
  • Provide continuous observation of monitor ECG rhythms for patients on telemetry and report pertinent information to appropriate nursing personnel.
  • Pass instruments, sponges, and suture to surgical team.
  • Assist in code situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Show more

Nurse technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Deliver timely and quality patient care on rehabilitation unit under direct supervision of staff nurses.
  • Assist patients with ADL's: bathing, transferring, ambulating, changing bed linens, skin care, etc.
  • Assist and serve patients with activities of daily living (ADL) in a manner conductive to their safety and comfort.
  • Assist new surgical patients with appropriate equipment to meet rehabilitation needs, and offer mental encouragement for a more positive recovery.
  • Pick up patient for surgery.
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Telemetry technician vs nurse technician skills

Common telemetry technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • EKG, 15%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Rhythm Interpretation, 4%
  • ICU, 4%
Common nurse technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%

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