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Doctor assistant vs medical research assistant

The differences between doctor assistants and medical research 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 research assistant. Additionally, a medical research assistant has an average salary of $40,303, 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 research assistant are patients, patient care, and DR.

Doctor assistant vs medical research assistant overview

Doctor AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Yearly salary$34,867$40,303
Hourly rate$16.76$19.38
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs58,522125,533
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Doctor assistant vs medical research assistant salary

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

Doctor AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Average salary$34,867$40,303
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $51,000Between $25,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Worcester, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Norton Rose Fulbright
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between doctor assistant and medical research assistant education

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

Doctor AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Doctor assistant vs medical research assistant demographics

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

Doctor AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between doctor assistant and medical research 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 research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Conduct intake and triage of medical histories for new and returning patients.
  • Record patient's medical history, vital statistics and information into charts and EMR.
  • Perform appointment scheduling and registration for patients as well as updating patient demographic and insurance information.
  • Perform tests (EKG's), as per protocol.
  • Sustain compliance with OSHA and HIPPA standards.
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Doctor assistant vs medical research assistant skills

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

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