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The differences between medical assisting externs and medical receptionists 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 assisting extern, becoming a medical receptionist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical assisting extern has an average salary of $35,737, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.
The top three skills for a medical assisting extern include patients, vital signs and EKG. The most important skills for a medical receptionist are patients, customer service, and check-in.
| Medical Assisting Extern | Medical Receptionist | |
| Yearly salary | $35,737 | $31,960 |
| Hourly rate | $17.18 | $15.37 |
| Growth rate | 16% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 81,077 | 118,048 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 37 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A medical assisting extern is responsible for supporting the medical team in ensuring that the patients are offered the best care services by providing treatments and medications. Medical assisting externs' duties include practicing their medical skills by shadowing on medical professionals' activities, assisting patients with their inquiries and concerns, facilitating medical procedures with the doctor's supervision, and learning to operate medical tools and equipment as needed. A medical assisting extern must have excellent knowledge in the health industry, as well as a fast-learner to be familiarized with the complexities of medical processes and procedures.
Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.
Medical assisting externs and medical receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Assisting Extern | Medical Receptionist | |
| Average salary | $35,737 | $31,960 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $48,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | - | Maine |
| Best paying company | - | CENTER FOR SIGHT |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a medical assisting extern and a medical receptionist in terms of educational background:
| Medical Assisting Extern | Medical Receptionist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Health Care Administration |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between medical assisting externs' and medical receptionists' demographics:
| Medical Assisting Extern | Medical Receptionist | |
| Average age | 37 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% | Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 9.6% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |