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Doctor assistant vs registered medical assistant

The differences between doctor assistants and registered 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 registered medical assistant. Additionally, a registered medical assistant has an average salary of $36,580, 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 registered medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and office procedures.

Doctor assistant vs registered medical assistant overview

Doctor AssistantRegistered Medical Assistant
Yearly salary$34,867$36,580
Hourly rate$16.76$17.59
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs58,522183,988
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Doctor assistant vs registered medical assistant salary

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

Doctor AssistantRegistered Medical Assistant
Average salary$34,867$36,580
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $51,000Between $26,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Griffin Hospital
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between doctor assistant and registered medical assistant education

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

Doctor AssistantRegistered Medical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Doctor assistant vs registered medical assistant demographics

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

Doctor AssistantRegistered Medical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 8.7% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between doctor assistant and registered 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.
  • Show more

Registered medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Generate referral letters for physician, manage and sort medical documents within the EHR system, and assist with e-prescribing.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Attain medical histories, explain treatment procedures to patients, prepare patients for examination, and assist during diagnostic examinations.
  • Front and back administrative duties, answering phones, scheduling appointments and compliance with HIPAA, CLIA, and OSHA regulations.
  • Conduct lab tests in the areas of hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and serology collections.
  • Run testing, calibration and controls of high complexity specialize in areas of chemistry and hematology.
  • Show more

Doctor assistant vs registered medical assistant skills

Common doctor assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 4%
  • Lab Results, 3%
  • EKG, 3%
Common registered medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Office Procedures, 5%
  • EKG, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Exam Rooms, 4%

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