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Medical examiner vs registered medical assistant

The differences between medical examiners and registered 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 registered medical assistant. Additionally, a medical examiner has an average salary of $156,092, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a registered medical assistant.

The top three skills for a medical examiner include EKG, medical history and vital signs. The most important skills for a registered medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and office procedures.

Medical examiner vs registered medical assistant overview

Medical ExaminerRegistered Medical Assistant
Yearly salary$156,092$36,580
Hourly rate$75.04$17.59
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs47,428183,988
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Associate Degree, 34%
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 registered medical assistant do?

The primary job of registered medical assistants is to perform clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They offer support services to physicians, so the latter have plenty of time to care for patients. They carry out varied administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks that include taking vital signs, filing records, and scheduling patient appointments. Other responsibilities include discussing treatment procedures to patients, interacting with patients, and collecting laboratory specimens such as tissue and blood. Ideal characteristics to become a registered medical assistant include being compassionate, can work well with people, and adaptable.

Medical examiner vs registered medical assistant salary

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

Medical ExaminerRegistered Medical Assistant
Average salary$156,092$36,580
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $308,000Between $26,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyBexar CountyGriffin Hospital
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical examiner and registered medical assistant education

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

Medical ExaminerRegistered Medical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical examiner vs registered medical assistant demographics

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

Medical ExaminerRegistered Medical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 33.0% Female, 67.0%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 8.7% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical examiner and registered 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.
  • Show more

Registered medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Generate referral letters for physician, manage and sort medical documents within the EHR system, and assist with e-prescribing.
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Attain medical histories, explain treatment procedures to patients, prepare patients for examination, and assist during diagnostic examinations.
  • Front and back administrative duties, answering phones, scheduling appointments and compliance with HIPAA, CLIA, and OSHA regulations.
  • Conduct lab tests in the areas of hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and serology collections.
  • Run testing, calibration and controls of high complexity specialize in areas of chemistry and hematology.
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Medical examiner vs registered 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 registered medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Office Procedures, 5%
  • EKG, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Exam Rooms, 4%

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