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The differences between certified phlebotomists and lead medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a certified phlebotomist, becoming a lead medical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a lead medical assistant has an average salary of $38,303, which is higher than the $34,509 average annual salary of a certified phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a certified phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and phlebotomy procedures. The most important skills for a lead medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $34,509 | $38,303 |
| Hourly rate | $16.59 | $18.41 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 44,574 | 163,228 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A certified phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood through venipuncture or finger and heel pricks, preparing the samples for laboratory procedures. Besides collecting blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for gathering patient information, verifying identification, reviewing medical histories, labeling vials, and maintaining records, including diagnostic findings. They are also in charge of keeping laboratory equipment clean, discarding trash appropriately, and organizing supplies according to policies, ordering new supplies when necessary. Above all, a certified phlebotomist maintains an open and transparent communication line with nurses and physicians for an efficient workflow.
A lead medical assistant performs administrative support tasks for clinical teams to provide optimal care and services to patients. They work under the supervision of a clinical manager whom they report to regularly. Among their responsibilities include establishing staff schedules and guidelines, conducting research and analysis, coordinating staff, reviewing medical charts and reports, organizing documents, and training new members of the workforce. Moreover, they may also assist patients by answering inquiries, performing follow-up calls to confirm appointment schedules, and preparing patients by giving them the information they need.
Certified phlebotomists and lead medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $34,509 | $38,303 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $23,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomist and a lead medical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between certified phlebotomists' and lead medical assistants' demographics:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.8% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.6% Asian, 8.7% White, 49.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |