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Clinical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between clinical assistants 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 a clinical assistant and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a medical assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $33,674, which is higher than the $30,215 average annual salary of a clinical assistant.

The top three skills for a clinical assistant include patients, customer service and PET. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Clinical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Clinical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$30,215$33,674
Hourly rate$14.53$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs101,926189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a clinical assistant do?

A clinical assistant is responsible for assisting medical professionals with medical procedures and ensure a high level of patient care. Clinical assistants perform minor clinic procedures such as taking patients' temperature, sterilizing medical equipment, proper dumping of disposable items, responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, processing payments, arranging appointment schedules, and maintaining an organized record of patients' information, such as their medical history and health insurance records. A clinical assistant must strictly adhere to sanitary and hygienic procedures at all times to promote a safe and clean environment for the patients.

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.

Clinical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Clinical assistants and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$30,215$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $13,000 And $66,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBrockton, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkConviva
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalFinance

Differences between clinical assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a clinical assistant and a medical assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

Clinical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorPsychologyMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Clinical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical assistants' and medical assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

Clinical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 18.4% Female, 81.6%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 53.5% 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 clinical assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Clinical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Participate in multiple studies managing CTM activities for various therapeutic areas simultaneously including oncology, urology, transplant, and immunology.
  • Interview patients and interpret EKG recordings transmit via telephone.
  • Maintain CPR certification on yearly basis and perform errands as per the instructions of supervisor.
  • Act as a paramedic including CPR, heart defibrillator, first aid, emergency care.
  • Schedule necessary test such as nerve conductions studies, bone scans, and MRI's.
  • Conduct mini-meetings with small groups of doctors to encourage them to take ownership of their EMR forms.
  • 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

Clinical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common clinical assistant skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • PET, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Phlebotomy, 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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