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The differences between certified phlebotomists and student medical assistant-externships 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 student medical assistant-externship takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a student medical assistant-externship has an average salary of $35,588, 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 student medical assistant-externship are patients, vital signs, and EKG.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Student Medical Assistant-Externship | |
| Yearly salary | $34,509 | $35,588 |
| Hourly rate | $16.59 | $17.11 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 44,574 | 178,362 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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.
Student Medical Assistant Externship is a broad term for catering students for short, reliable, and practical work experience. Once you graduate, you can get a chance to meet contacts that may be useful for your career. You can have a better chance to work in a clinic, hospital, and any medical platform after going through this kind of externship.
Certified phlebotomists and student medical assistant-externships have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Student Medical Assistant-Externship | |
| Average salary | $34,509 | $35,588 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomist and a student medical assistant-externship in terms of educational background:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Student Medical Assistant-Externship | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between certified phlebotomists' and student medical assistant-externships' demographics:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Student Medical Assistant-Externship | |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% | Male, 23.8% Female, 76.2% |
| 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, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.4% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |