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Assistant-at-surgery vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between assistants-at surgery and medical assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an assistant-at-surgery and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, an assistant-at-surgery has an average salary of $81,630, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for an assistant-at-surgery include patients, surgical procedures and HIPAA. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Assistant-at-surgery vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Assistant-At-SurgeryMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$81,630$33,674
Hourly rate$39.25$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs154,070189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does an assistant-at-surgery do?

An assistant at surgery is a medical professional who assists surgeons and nurses during surgical operations and other procedures. They are responsible for setting up and maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms, preparing and sanitizing tools and equipment, understanding the operations' course, and preparing the patients pre-surgery through interviews and assessments. During the surgery, they provide direct assistance to the surgeon by handing the correct tools, monitoring the patients' vital signs, attaching tubes, and even closing wounds. Moreover, as an assistant at surgery, it is essential to be proactive and have a clear mind presence.

What does a medical assistant/phlebotomist do?

Medical assistants/phlebotomists are medical personnel who execute administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities or units. They are responsible for providing healthcare to patients such as immunization administration, orthopedic supplies, and wound care. It is part of their job to take the blood of patients for blood testing. They also take charge of handling other medical tests for the upkeep of patients' health. These professionals should exhibit compatibility, initiative, and cohesiveness within the team.

Assistant-at-surgery vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Assistants-at surgery and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant-At-SurgeryMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$81,630$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $215,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyPhysician Affiliate Group of New YorkConviva
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between assistant-at-surgery and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between an assistant-at-surgery and a medical assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

Assistant-At-SurgeryMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Assistant-at-surgery vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between assistants-at surgery' and medical assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

Assistant-At-SurgeryMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 25.5% Female, 74.5%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 51.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between assistant-at-surgery and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Assistant-at-surgery example responsibilities.

  • Submit requests for authorization for surgical procedures and office appointments from patients' insurance carriers.
  • Perform EKGs and phlebotomy as needed.
  • Assist doctors with procedures, patient triage/telephone triage.
  • Participate in hospital triage with medical and surgical cases.
  • Make calls to pharmacies and other medical offices to give or obtain patient information in accordance with HIPAA.
  • Perform clinical tasks such as taking and recording vitals, operating EKG machine, performing finger sticks, and patient preparation.
  • Show more

Medical assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Provide back-office support, inventory control, training and supervision to ensure compliance with HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Used CPR training on several occasions.
  • Assist physician in the operating room during surgery and delivery.
  • Validate and ensure that forms for the releases of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
  • Sanitize equipment and follow OSHA guidelines.
  • Show more

Assistant-at-surgery vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common assistant-at-surgery skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Surgical Procedures, 7%
  • HIPAA, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 3%
Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

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