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Medical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between medical assistants 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 and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a medical assistant has an average salary of $34,900, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

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

Medical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Medical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$34,900$33,674
Hourly rate$16.78$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs189,915189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical assistant do?

Medical assistants provide support to medical practitioners in both administrative and clerical tasks. They keep and update the patient's medical records, administer medicines under the supervision of a physician, assist during medical examinations, prepare medical samples for laboratory testing, manage the schedule of appointments, and assist the patients with their bills and in filling out needed forms, such as insurance-related documents. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, be organized, and be flexible. They should also have knowledge of how to operate some medical equipment such as x-ray machines.

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 vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

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

Medical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$34,900$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareFinance

Differences between medical assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

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

Medical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

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

Medical AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 10.4% Female, 89.6%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Participate in emergency surgical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in taking patient history and vitals, venipuncture, injections, urinalysis and preparing examination trays.
  • Attend to new out patients in gynecology clinic, make clinical diagnosis and follow up.
  • Provide RMA support to physician, and patients, including but not limit to vitals and patient history.
  • 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 vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • EKG, 4%
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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