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Medical assistant externship vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between medical assistant externships and medical assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a medical assistant externship and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a medical assistant externship has an average salary of $35,460, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for a medical assistant externship include patients, vital signs and EKG. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Medical assistant externship vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Medical Assistant ExternshipMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$35,460$33,674
Hourly rate$17.05$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs172,671189,206
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeDiploma, 31%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical assistant externship do?

Medical assistant externs are medical school students who took the opportunity to get on-the-job training at a medical facility, usually a hospital. They spend a set amount of time in the facility. Medical assistant externs do job shadowing. They join their mentors, who are usually doctors or other health professionals, in their daily activities. Unlike usual on-the-job trainees, medical assistant externs do not really work on administrative activities. Instead, they are given the opportunity to truly be exposed to the actual work in a medical facility. They experience talking to patients and their families, performing basic medical tasks under the supervision of a doctor, and interpreting laboratory results with their mentors.

What does a medical assistant/phlebotomist do?

Medical assistants/phlebotomists are medical personnel who execute administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities or units. They are responsible for providing healthcare to patients such as immunization administration, orthopedic supplies, and wound care. It is part of their job to take the blood of patients for blood testing. They also take charge of handling other medical tests for the upkeep of patients' health. These professionals should exhibit compatibility, initiative, and cohesiveness within the team.

Medical assistant externship vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Medical assistant externships and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Assistant ExternshipMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$35,460$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $54,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Conviva
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between medical assistant externship and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a medical assistant externship and a medical assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

Medical Assistant ExternshipMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeDiploma, 31%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical assistant externship vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between medical assistant externships' and medical assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

Medical Assistant ExternshipMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 15.3% Female, 84.7%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.9% Asian, 9.3% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical assistant externship and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Medical assistant externship example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Perform various clinical duties, such as vital signs, EKG's, urinalysis, PFT's, and rooming/interviewing patients.
  • Interview patients during check-in/check-out procedures to obtain their medical information following HIPAA standards.
  • Perform EKG, pregnancy test, vision & hearing examinations, as well as analyzed and document controls for urinalysis.
  • Back office duties including taking patients vitals, CLIA waive testing, and assisting the doctor and nurse practitioner as needed.
  • Assist podiatrists with patients suffering from complications relate to diabetes or obesity.
  • Show more

Medical assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Provide back-office support, inventory control, training and supervision to ensure compliance with HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Used CPR training on several occasions.
  • Assist physician in the operating room during surgery and delivery.
  • Validate and ensure that forms for the releases of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
  • Sanitize equipment and follow OSHA guidelines.
  • Show more

Medical assistant externship vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common medical assistant externship skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Vital Signs, 13%
  • EKG, 8%
  • Office Procedures, 7%
  • Exam Rooms, 6%
  • Laboratory Specimens, 3%
Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

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