Medical instrument technicians operate equipment such as ultrasound machines.
In today's medical practices and facilities, physicians and other health care providers rely more and more on medical testing and equipment to assist them in forming and confirming patient diagnoses. Medical machinery is advancing in its abilities and becoming more complex. The role of the people who operate this machinery is increasingly vital. Medical instrument technicians perform this crucial function.
Job Description
Medical instrument technicians are trained workers who specialize in calibrating, setting up tests and operating their assigned equipment. They are responsible for directing the patient and seeing to their comfort before, during and after the test. Medical instrument technicians document, report or present the findings to the appropriate medical personnel. These technicians also maintain the equipment and coordinate repairs.
Compensation
SimplyHired reported the average annual salary for medical instrument technicians in January 2011 was $40,000. According to Salary.com, the average salary range for the same period was $35,240 to $50,664. These technicians typically work a full-time schedule that may include night, evening and weekend hours depending on the needs of the facility. Many receive health benefits as well as the possibility of other forms of compensation such as bonuses, profit sharing and retirement contributions.
Specialties
While there is an average salary for the overall title of medical instrument technologist, these technicians generally specialize on a particular type of equipment and their earnings vary accordingly. Ultrasound technicians earned a total annual compensation of $44,750 to $65,063 in January 2011, according to PayScale. For the same period, dialysis technicians reported an annual salary range of $24,889 to $33,804.
Facilities
Medical instrument technicians work in a variety of facilities. Besides hospitals, these technicians are found in laboratories, testing facilities, long-term care facilities, doctor's offices and acute care facilities. PayScale reports the hourly rate for these specialists is fairly consistent, not varying by more than a dollar or two per hour.
Regional Variations
Medical instrument technician earnings differ according to geographic location. PayScale reports that ultrasound technicians in New York and California earn significantly more than their counterparts in other areas of the country --- $28.27 to $34.85 per hour in New York, $24.86 to $36.63 in California. In Pennsylvania the hourly rate ranges from $19.51 to $27.28 as of January 2011.
Tags: instrument technicians, Medical instrument technicians, January 2011, Medical instrument, annual salary
