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Doctor assistant vs medical assistant

The differences between doctor assistants and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a doctor assistant and a medical assistant. Additionally, a medical assistant has an average salary of $34,900, which is higher than the $34,867 average annual salary of a doctor assistant.

The top three skills for a doctor assistant include patients, patient care and vital signs. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.

Doctor assistant vs medical assistant overview

Doctor AssistantMedical Assistant
Yearly salary$34,867$34,900
Hourly rate$16.76$16.78
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs58,522189,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 24%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Doctor assistant vs medical assistant salary

Doctor assistants and medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Doctor AssistantMedical Assistant
Average salary$34,867$34,900
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $51,000Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City-Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between doctor assistant and medical assistant education

There are a few differences between a doctor assistant and a medical assistant in terms of educational background:

Doctor AssistantMedical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 24%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Doctor assistant vs medical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between doctor assistants' and medical assistants' demographics:

Doctor AssistantMedical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.0% Asian, 9.8% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between doctor assistant and medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Doctor assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage communication between patients and doctor to ensure patient comprehension of treatment plans and manage all triage calls.
  • Manage the movement of patient's through the ER from triage to discharge or to the floor once admit.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Maintain confidentiality with patients and follow HIPAA regulations.
  • Perform background physical evaluation with patients -assist physicians with daily patient care -Liaison between patients and attending physician.
  • Handle medical emergencies by employing knowledge of first aid and CPR.
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Medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Participate in emergency surgical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in taking patient history and vitals, venipuncture, injections, urinalysis and preparing examination trays.
  • Attend to new out patients in gynecology clinic, make clinical diagnosis and follow up.
  • Provide RMA support to physician, and patients, including but not limit to vitals and patient history.
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Doctor assistant vs medical assistant skills

Common doctor assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 4%
  • Lab Results, 3%
  • EKG, 3%
Common medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • EKG, 4%

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