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Medical assistant instructor vs registered medical assistant

The differences between medical assistant instructors 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 medical assistant instructor and a registered medical assistant. Additionally, a medical assistant instructor has an average salary of $40,698, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a registered medical assistant.

The top three skills for a medical assistant instructor include patients, vital signs and patient care. The most important skills for a registered medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and office procedures.

Medical assistant instructor vs registered medical assistant overview

Medical Assistant InstructorRegistered Medical Assistant
Yearly salary$40,698$36,580
Hourly rate$19.57$17.59
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs180,025183,988
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical assistant instructor do?

An assistant medical instructor is responsible for supporting medical instructors in teaching medical students for programs and processes, depending on their area of expertise. Assistant medical instructors handle the preparation of learning materials and other related resources according to the class level and curriculum. They also serve as a liaison between the instructor and the students to respond with inquiries and concerns, resolve learning difficulties, and document examinations. An assistant medical instructor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in maintaining organized student records and updating the grading system as needed.

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.

Medical assistant instructor vs registered medical assistant salary

Medical assistant instructors and registered medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Assistant InstructorRegistered Medical Assistant
Average salary$40,698$36,580
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $60,000Between $26,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityFramingham, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyErlanger Health SystemGriffin Hospital
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between medical assistant instructor and registered medical assistant education

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

Medical Assistant InstructorRegistered Medical Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical assistant instructor vs registered medical assistant demographics

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

Medical Assistant InstructorRegistered Medical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 18.6% Female, 81.4%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 9.8% White, 50.0% 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 medical assistant instructor and registered medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical assistant instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage two full classes of 30+ students each and ensure all comply with OSHA and the schools' standards and guidelines.
  • Utilize nursing process and critical thinking skill and manage flight medic activities in combat deployment environment.
  • Prepare students to sit for the national CPC exam through AAPC.
  • Facilitate anatomy and physiology courses.
  • Prepare procedure papers, perform routine laboratory procedures such as urinalysis, and assist physician with procedure set ups.
  • Teach multiple classes each semester of CPT-4, ICD-10-CM/PCS, and HCPCS coding.
  • 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

Medical assistant instructor vs registered medical assistant skills

Common medical assistant instructor skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Vital Signs, 9%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Phlebotomy, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • EKG, 6%
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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