Occupation · SOC 29-2099
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.
Median wage
$48,790
$37,290–$81,290
Projected growth
+5.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
930
per year
Employed (US)
174,060
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
366 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingWriting
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageBiologyPsychology
Technology & tools
Spreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing softwareMedical software
Representative tasks
Indicate artifacts or interferences derived from sources outside of the brain, such as poor electrode contact or patient movement, on electroneurodiagnostic recordings.Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.Conduct tests or studies such as electroencephalography (EEG), polysomnography (PSG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), and intraoperative monitoring (IOM).Monitor patients during tests or surgeries, using electroencephalographs (EEG), evoked potential (EP) instruments, or video recording equipment.Take and document patients' medical histories.Collect patients' medical information needed to customize tests.Explain testing procedures to patients, answering questions or reassuring patients, as needed.Set up, program, or record montages or electrical combinations when testing peripheral nerve, spinal cord, subcortical, or cortical responses.Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.Summarize technical data to assist physicians to diagnose brain, sleep, or nervous system disorders.Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.Conduct tests to determine cerebral death, the absence of brain activity, or the probability of recovery from a coma.Attach electrodes to patients, using adhesives.Measure patients' body parts and mark locations where electrodes are to be placed.Coordinate communication between patients, family members, medical staff, administrative staff, or regulatory agencies.Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.Calculate corrections for refractive errors.Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.Submit reports to physicians summarizing test results.Calibrate, troubleshoot, or repair equipment and correct malfunctions, as needed.Adjust equipment to optimize viewing of the nervous system.Measure visual, auditory, or somatosensory evoked potentials (EPs) to determine responses to stimuli.Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.Interview patients or their representatives to identify problems relating to care.Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.Refer patients to appropriate health care services or resources.Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.Maintain knowledge of community services and resources available to patients.Assist in training technicians, medical students, residents, or other staff members.Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.Explain policies, procedures, or services to patients using medical or administrative knowledge.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient medical histories — collect and document under direct supervision using standardized intake forms in a clinical setting.Basic anatomical terminology — recognize and apply when labeling skeletal and neuromuscular structures on intake paperwork.Electronic health record software — enter patient demographic and health history data under guidance from a supervising technician.Neuromusculoskeletal assessment protocols — observe and assist during routine evaluation procedures in an outpatient clinic.Active listening techniques — demonstrate attentiveness when receiving patient-reported symptoms during initial intake interviews.Chiropractic diagnostic concepts — identify foundational principles of spinal assessment by reviewing instructional materials and guided case studies.Patient observation skills — note and report visible signs of postural imbalance or gait irregularities to a supervising practitioner.Office suite and word processing software — draft basic clinical notes and correspondence following templates provided by the clinical team.Health and medical history questionnaires — administer standardized forms and verify completeness before forwarding to the supervising clinician.Clinical safety and hygiene protocols — follow established procedures for patient handling and workspace sanitation under direct oversight.
developing
Medical history reviews — conduct structured patient interviews and synthesize findings into coherent summaries with limited supervision in a busy outpatient clinic.Neuromusculoskeletal functioning — evaluate range-of-motion and reflex indicators using established chiropractic diagnostic systems with routine cases.Clinical documentation — record examination findings accurately in electronic medical record software, applying consistent terminology across patient files.Patient communication — explain assessment procedures clearly and address routine questions using plain language adapted to individual patient needs.Reading comprehension of clinical literature — interpret diagnostic guidelines and protocol updates to ensure practice remains aligned with current standards.Spinal adjustment preparation — position and drape patients correctly in preparation for manual adjustment procedures performed by the supervising clinician.Observation and monitoring — track patient progress across follow-up visits and flag deviations from expected recovery trajectories for clinician review.Critical thinking in familiar cases — apply diagnostic reasoning to distinguish common musculoskeletal complaints from presentations requiring escalation.Medical software reporting tools — generate routine patient progress reports and appointment summaries using clinic-approved software platforms.Social perceptiveness — recognize subtle changes in patient affect or pain response during treatment sessions and adjust communication strategies accordingly.
proficient
Comprehensive health and medical histories — obtain, analyze, and interpret complex multi-system patient histories autonomously, integrating findings into differential assessments.Neuromusculoskeletal and spinal evaluation — independently apply chiropractic diagnostic systems to assess functioning across the full scope of common and non-routine presentations.Manual adjustment techniques — perform a coordinated series of spinal and articular adjustments to address musculoskeletal misalignment safely within scope of practice.Diagnostic judgment and decision-making — synthesize patient history, physical examination, and observational data to form evidence-informed clinical conclusions without supervisory input.Non-routine patient cases — adapt standard assessment and care protocols when atypical presentations require modified approaches in an outpatient or community health setting.Inductive and deductive clinical reasoning — identify patterns across patient data to generate and test diagnostic hypotheses, refining conclusions as new information emerges.Patient education and counseling — develop individualized explanations of diagnoses, treatment rationales, and self-care strategies using clear verbal and written communication.Interdisciplinary coordination — communicate clinical findings and referral needs effectively to physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare team members.Clinical writing and reporting — author detailed case notes, incident reports, and outcome summaries that meet regulatory and institutional documentation standards.Technology integration — leverage medical software, spreadsheet tools, and electronic mail platforms to manage patient records, track outcomes, and support continuity of care.
advanced
Clinical practice standards — establish and refine diagnostic and treatment protocols for the health technology team, ensuring alignment with current evidence and regulatory requirements.Staff development and training — design and deliver competency-based orientation and continuing education programs for emerging and developing technicians across the clinical organization.Quality improvement initiatives — lead systematic reviews of patient outcome data using reporting and analytics software to identify practice gaps and implement evidence-based improvements.Organizational decision-making — contribute expert clinical judgment to leadership discussions on service expansion, staffing models, and technology adoption at an organizational level.Complex case consultation — serve as the senior resource for non-routine or high-acuity patient presentations, guiding junior staff through structured clinical reasoning processes.Policy and procedure authorship — draft and maintain institution-wide clinical guidelines, safety protocols, and scope-of-practice documentation for health technology operations.Interprofessional collaboration leadership — coordinate care planning across multidisciplinary teams, representing the health technology discipline in case conferences and strategic planning meetings.Mentorship and performance oversight — evaluate technician competency through direct observation and structured feedback, supporting professional growth plans across all experience levels.Community and patient advocacy — represent organizational health services in community outreach, health education events, and professional association activities to advance public health literacy.Technology and systems leadership — evaluate, select, and oversee implementation of electronic health record, medical software, and office productivity platforms to optimize clinical workflows.
Also known as
51 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Surgical TechnicianChild Health AssociateEEG Technician (Electroencephalographic Technician)Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)Polysomnographic TechnologistCertified Medical Technician (CMT)Medical TechnologistClosed Circuit Screen WatcherElectroneurodiagnostic TechnologistEEG Technologist (Electroencephalographic Technologist)Patient Care TechnicianPediatric AssociateEncephalographerElectromyographic TechnicianPerfusionistExtracorporeal TechnicianTechnician, Biological, HealthEnvironmental Health TechnicianMedtronics TechnicianSleep TechnologistRespiratory Therapy Technician (RTT)Hospital TechnicianHealth Care Sanitary TechnicianLife Support TechnicianHealth Type TechnicianOxygen Therapy TechnicianBrain Wave TechnicianDialysis Patient Care TechnicianEmergency Department TechnicianCephalometric AnalystVascular TechnicianPolysomnographic TechnicianPolysomnograph TechDialysis TechnicianEmergency Room TechnicianSleep TechnicianObstetrics Technician (OB Technician)Renal Dialysis TechnicianRehabilitation TechnicianCentral Supply Technician