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Tissue technician vs certified medical technician

The differences between tissue technicians and certified medical 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 tissue technician and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $37,948 average annual salary of a tissue technician.

The top three skills for a tissue technician include sterile technique, american association and tissue recovery. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Tissue technician vs certified medical technician overview

Tissue TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$37,948$38,859
Hourly rate$18.24$18.68
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs39,135164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

What does a tissue technician do?

A tissue technician retrieves tissues from donors and deceased individuals whose organs are signed up for donations. Tissue technicians work with surgeons on their transplant requests for organ donation. The tissue technician's job is to visit hospitals, funeral parlors, and such to harvest tissue, store it properly, and transport it safely to its destination. A tissue technician is a vital person for a surgeon and patients scheduled for operation or transplant.

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.

Tissue technician vs certified medical technician salary

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

Tissue TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$37,948$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $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 tissue technician and certified medical technician education

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

Tissue TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Connecticut

Tissue technician vs certified medical technician demographics

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

Tissue TechnicianCertified Medical Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between tissue technician and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Tissue technician example responsibilities.

  • Recognize & investigate instrument malfunctions, perform calibrations, manage QC, and maintain comprehensive written records of tests & procedures.
  • Create and monitor metrics for program success with AATB and FDA compliance.
  • Inspect and fulfill orders in compliance with CFR and FDA guidelines.
  • Perform QC and instrument maintenance, taking appropriate action to maintain accuracy and precision.
  • Process, package and distribute according to policy protocols and procedures adhering to AATB standards.
  • Perform data analysis of results, maintain records, files and logs of work perform for FDA review.
  • 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

Tissue technician vs certified medical technician skills

Common tissue technician skills
  • Sterile Technique, 16%
  • American Association, 9%
  • Tissue Recovery, 8%
  • Human Tissue, 8%
  • Surgical Instruments, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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