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Medical internship vs medical research assistant

The differences between medical interns and medical research 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 internship and a medical research assistant. Additionally, a medical internship has an average salary of $50,843, which is higher than the $40,303 average annual salary of a medical research assistant.

The top three skills for a medical internship include patients, patient care and vital signs. The most important skills for a medical research assistant are patients, patient care, and DR.

Medical internship vs medical research assistant overview

Medical InternshipMedical Research Assistant
Yearly salary$50,843$40,303
Hourly rate$24.44$19.38
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs127,692125,533
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical internship do?

When it comes to a medical internship, one of the primary duties is to attend to the patients' needs while under a more experienced physician's supervision. During this period, the medical interns must rotate in various fields of specialties or departments for exposure. Aside from learning and observing, there are also instances when medical interns are required to produce necessary reports and documentation, communicate with patients and families, and take part in more challenging cases.

What does a medical research assistant do?

A medical research assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar environment. Their responsibilities include gathering and organizing samples, preparing the laboratories and other facilities, compiling and managing data, updating databases, and conducting examinations and analysis, all while adhering to the laboratory's policies and regulations. They may also liaise with clients, answering inquiries as necessary. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an active line with researchers, coordinating with them every step of the way to ensure an efficient workflow.

Medical internship vs medical research assistant salary

Medical interns and medical research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical InternshipMedical Research Assistant
Average salary$50,843$40,303
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $77,000Between $25,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWorcester, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyTakeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.Norton Rose Fulbright
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between medical internship and medical research assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical internship and a medical research assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical InternshipMedical Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical internship vs medical research assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical interns' and medical research assistants' demographics:

Medical InternshipMedical Research Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical internship and medical research assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical internship example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Room patients, vitals, schedule, injections, clia waive tests, womb care ,
  • Learned how to triage patients and make sure they are ready for the doctor to see.
  • Organize and fill patient medical records, telephone triage, schedule appointments, and provide patient education.
  • Organize, prep, and assist patients in putting on heart monitors for EKG and heart rate readings in the lab.
  • Assist physicians in taking blood pressure, EKG, ultrasound, measuring heart beat and recording all vitals in physical examinations.
  • Show more

Medical research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Conduct intake and triage of medical histories for new and returning patients.
  • Record patient's medical history, vital statistics and information into charts and EMR.
  • Perform appointment scheduling and registration for patients as well as updating patient demographic and insurance information.
  • Perform tests (EKG's), as per protocol.
  • Sustain compliance with OSHA and HIPPA standards.
  • Show more

Medical internship vs medical research assistant skills

Common medical internship skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Surgical Procedures, 4%
  • Surgery, 4%
  • EKG, 3%
Common medical research assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • DR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Phlebotomy, 5%

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