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Medical examiner vs lead medical assistant

The differences between medical examiners and lead 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 examiner and a lead medical assistant. Additionally, a medical examiner has an average salary of $156,092, which is higher than the $38,303 average annual salary of a lead medical assistant.

The top three skills for a medical examiner include EKG, medical history and vital signs. The most important skills for a lead medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.

Medical examiner vs lead medical assistant overview

Medical ExaminerLead Medical Assistant
Yearly salary$156,092$38,303
Hourly rate$75.04$18.41
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs47,428163,228
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Associate Degree, 27%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical examiner do?

A medical examiner works with deceased bodies to determine the cause and time of death. They analyze available information, testify in court, act as an expert witness in various criminal and civil cases, and provide forensic evidence. They are generally only expected to investigate deaths that occur under suspicious circumstances, as not all deaths will require an autopsy.

What does a lead medical assistant do?

A lead medical assistant performs administrative support tasks for clinical teams to provide optimal care and services to patients. They work under the supervision of a clinical manager whom they report to regularly. Among their responsibilities include establishing staff schedules and guidelines, conducting research and analysis, coordinating staff, reviewing medical charts and reports, organizing documents, and training new members of the workforce. Moreover, they may also assist patients by answering inquiries, performing follow-up calls to confirm appointment schedules, and preparing patients by giving them the information they need.

Medical examiner vs lead medical assistant salary

Medical examiners and lead medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical ExaminerLead Medical Assistant
Average salary$156,092$38,303
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $308,000Between $23,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying stateMassachusetts-
Best paying companyBexar County-
Best paying industry--

Differences between medical examiner and lead medical assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical examiner and a lead medical assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical ExaminerLead Medical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Associate Degree, 27%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical examiner vs lead medical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical examiners' and lead medical assistants' demographics:

Medical ExaminerLead Medical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 33.0% Female, 67.0%Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.6% Asian, 8.7% White, 49.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical examiner and lead medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical examiner example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Perform medical exams such as EKG's, blood work, vitals and review medical history and paperwork with patients.
  • Assist in DNA case file management.
  • Train in phlebotomy and OSHA/HIPPA regulatory compliance procedures.
  • Perform independent thesis research to compare paraffin embed healthy and malignant tissue using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA testing.
  • Audit income and financial resources of elderly adults and disable applicants to determine financial eligibility for various levels of Medicaid coverage.
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Lead medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage company financial accounts, including employee payroll and tax document preparations.
  • Ensure the laboratory is CLIA compliant for semi-annual certification, provide annual CLIA waive competence.
  • Perform all staff yearly reviews and yearly competencies on the CLIA waive testing done in the office.
  • Alphabetize medications, accurately update and record patient medications and allergies in patient chart upon each visit.
  • Learned basic human anatomy and physiology.
  • Follow OSHA laboratory safety policies and procedures.
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Medical examiner vs lead medical assistant skills

Common medical examiner skills
  • EKG, 16%
  • Medical History, 10%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • Medical Exams, 7%
  • Death Certificates, 6%
Common lead medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • EKG, 5%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%

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