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Medical assistant/phlebotomist vs medical record assistant

The differences between medical assistant/phlebotomists and medical record 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/phlebotomist and a medical record assistant. Additionally, a medical record assistant has an average salary of $34,870, 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 medical record assistant are patients, data entry, and HIPAA.

Medical assistant/phlebotomist vs medical record assistant overview

Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistMedical Record Assistant
Yearly salary$33,674$34,870
Hourly rate$16.19$16.76
Growth rate16%11%
Number of jobs189,20691,238
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age3745
Years of experience1212

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.

What does a medical record assistant do?

A medical record assistant is responsible for the proper documentation of the patients' information and medical records for reference to the attending physician or other medical professionals. Medical record assistants also track the patient's medical treatments and progress, as well as their health insurance details and coverage. They also respond to the patient's inquiries and concerns, including scheduling physician's appointments and updating the patients for any released medical results. A medical record assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, categorizing documents, and retrieving files for medical needs.

Medical assistant/phlebotomist vs medical record assistant salary

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

Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistMedical Record Assistant
Average salary$33,674$34,870
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $41,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANapa, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyConvivaNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between medical assistant/phlebotomist and medical record assistant education

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

Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistMedical Record Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Medical assistant/phlebotomist vs medical record assistant demographics

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

Medical Assistant/PhlebotomistMedical Record Assistant
Average age3745
Gender ratioMale, 11.4% Female, 88.6%Male, 17.3% Female, 82.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%9%

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

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 record assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead special department-wide task force initiative to minimize abuse of Oxycontin prescriptions bill to Medicaid.
  • Manage and organize all paperwork concerning caregivers and patients; organize filing system; ensure operation of electronic filing systems.
  • Work with EHR, provide medical records to patients and specialty centers.
  • Guide department through transition from paper charts to EHR system scan all patient records into database.
  • Scan documents into electronic medical records system and certify HIPAA compliance
  • Implement HIPAA guidelines in keeping patient information secure and confidential.
  • Show more

Medical assistant/phlebotomist vs medical record assistant skills

Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%
Common medical record assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Medical Terminology, 3%

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