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The differences between laboratory phlebotomists and clinical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a laboratory phlebotomist, becoming a clinical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory phlebotomist has an average salary of $33,951, which is higher than the $30,215 average annual salary of a clinical assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory phlebotomist include patients, customer service and specimen collection. The most important skills for a clinical assistant are patients, customer service, and PET.
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Clinical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $33,951 | $30,215 |
| Hourly rate | $16.32 | $14.53 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 48,645 | 101,926 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A laboratory phlebotomist is primarily in charge of drawing and processing blood samples from patients and clients for laboratory analysis. They must also perform clerical tasks such as maintaining records of all procedures and results, producing laboratory reports, responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, and liaising with external parties such as vendors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a laboratory phlebotomist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with laboratory and hospital staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
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.
Laboratory phlebotomists and clinical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Clinical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $33,951 | $30,215 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $45,000 | Between $13,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Brockton, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a laboratory phlebotomist and a clinical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Clinical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Psychology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between laboratory phlebotomists' and clinical assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Clinical Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.2% Female, 79.8% | Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |