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The differences between medical assistant/phlebotomists and certified phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical assistant/phlebotomist, becoming a certified phlebotomist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a certified phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,509, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist include patients, vital signs and customer service. The most important skills for a certified phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and phlebotomy procedures.
| Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist | Certified Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $33,674 | $34,509 |
| Hourly rate | $16.19 | $16.59 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 189,206 | 44,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
A certified phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood through venipuncture or finger and heel pricks, preparing the samples for laboratory procedures. Besides collecting blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for gathering patient information, verifying identification, reviewing medical histories, labeling vials, and maintaining records, including diagnostic findings. They are also in charge of keeping laboratory equipment clean, discarding trash appropriately, and organizing supplies according to policies, ordering new supplies when necessary. Above all, a certified phlebotomist maintains an open and transparent communication line with nurses and physicians for an efficient workflow.
Medical assistant/phlebotomists and certified phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist | Certified Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $33,674 | $34,509 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $41,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | Conviva | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a medical assistant/phlebotomist and a certified phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist | Certified Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between medical assistant/phlebotomists' and certified phlebotomists' demographics:
| Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist | Certified Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 37 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6% | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.8% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |