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The differences between medical laboratory assistants and medical clerks 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 laboratory assistant, becoming a medical clerk takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical laboratory assistant has an average salary of $34,673, which is higher than the $32,439 average annual salary of a medical clerk.
The top three skills for a medical laboratory assistant include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a medical clerk are patients, medical terminology, and data entry.
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $34,673 | $32,439 |
| Hourly rate | $16.67 | $15.60 |
| Growth rate | 16% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 124,322 | 166,322 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 27% | Bachelor's Degree, 26% |
| Average age | 37 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A medical laboratory assistant is in charge of performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a more experienced medical technician or scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collecting samples such as blood and tissues, preparing slides, running tests using machines and equipment, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. Furthermore, a medical laboratory assistant must also keep the cleanliness of the laboratory, organize and monitor inventories, procure supplies, and implement the laboratory's policies and regulations.
A medical clerk works in the administrative area of a medical facility or hospital. The medical clerk collects all patient information and medical records. The clerk also does all the clinic or hospital paperwork and generates reports of all transactions that transpired in a day's work. The medical clerk also processes admission and discharge papers, medical charts, properly file and safeguard all patient records and secure them from unauthorized access. The medical clerk is expected to be highly organized, capable of handling pressure, and has good communication skills.
Medical laboratory assistants and medical clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical Clerk | |
| Average salary | $34,673 | $32,439 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eugene, OR | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Brinks Gilson |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a medical laboratory assistant and a medical clerk in terms of educational background:
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 27% | Bachelor's Degree, 26% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between medical laboratory assistants' and medical clerks' demographics:
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Medical Clerk | |
| Average age | 37 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% | Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.8% 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% |