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Medical Internship Vs Registered Medical Assistant

The differences between medical interns 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 internship and a registered medical assistant. Additionally, a medical internship has an average salary of $50,843, which is higher than the $36,580 average annual salary of a registered medical assistant.

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

Medical internship vs registered medical assistant overview

Medical InternshipRegistered Medical Assistant
Yearly Salary$50,843$36,580
Hourly rate$24.44$17.59
Growth Rate16%16%
Number Of Jobs127,692183,988
Job Satisfaction-4
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
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 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 internship vs registered medical assistant salary

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

Medical InternshipRegistered Medical Assistant
Average Salary$50,843$36,580
Salary RangeBetween $33,000 And $77,000Between $26,000 And $49,000
Highest Paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest Paying StateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best Paying CompanyTakeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.Griffin Hospital
Best Paying Industry-Health Care

Differences between medical internship and registered medical assistant education

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

Medical InternshipRegistered Medical Assistant
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
Most Common MajorHealth Care AdministrationMedical Assisting Services
Most Common College--

Medical internship vs registered medical assistant demographics

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

Medical InternshipRegistered Medical Assistant
Average Age3737
Gender RatioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8%
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, 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 internship and registered medical 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

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 internship vs registered medical assistant skills

Common Medical Internship Skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Surgical Procedures, 4%
  • Surgery, 4%
  • EKG, 3%
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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