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Md vs registered medical assistant

The differences between mds 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 an md and a registered medical assistant. Additionally, an md has an average salary of $75,011, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a registered medical assistant.

The top three skills for an md include patients, customer service and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a registered medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and office procedures.

Md vs registered medical assistant overview

MDRegistered Medical Assistant
Yearly salary$75,011$36,580
Hourly rate$36.06$17.59
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs58,569183,988
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does an md do?

A Doctor of Medicine or MD is the designation of a person who completed medical education. Generally, MDs focus on the treatment of conditions in need of medication. These doctors do health assessments, prescribe medication, run diagnostic tests, treat patients, and offer health and wellness advice. Among their health specialties are in the areas of neurology, gynecology, and dermatology. They may also perform surgery when necessary. All these are made possible with their knowledge and skills in medicine.

What does a registered medical assistant do?

The primary job of registered medical assistants is to perform clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They offer support services to physicians, so the latter have plenty of time to care for patients. They carry out varied administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks that include taking vital signs, filing records, and scheduling patient appointments. Other responsibilities include discussing treatment procedures to patients, interacting with patients, and collecting laboratory specimens such as tissue and blood. Ideal characteristics to become a registered medical assistant include being compassionate, can work well with people, and adaptable.

Md vs registered medical assistant salary

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

MDRegistered Medical Assistant
Average salary$75,011$36,580
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $224,000Between $26,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyAtrium Health FloydGriffin Hospital
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between md and registered medical assistant education

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

MDRegistered Medical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Md vs registered medical assistant demographics

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

MDRegistered Medical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 47.7% 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 md and registered medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Md example responsibilities.

  • Manage the office regarding Clia and OSHA laws and regulations
  • Manage on call pager for after hours triage and urgent matters while staying in complete communication with the physician.
  • Manage patient files by making new charts, keying all encounters through ICD-9 coding procedures and posting in patient database.
  • Operate electrocardiograph (EKG), call to schedule test for patients and routine office visits.
  • Back office responsibilities include rooming patients, obtaining vitals, chief complaint and documenting into EMR system.
  • Assist physicians in exams rooms, administer intramuscular injections and perform venipuncture on adult and pediatric patients.
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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.
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Md vs registered medical assistant skills

Common md skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 6%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
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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