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Medical scribe vs geriatric nursing assistant

The differences between medical scribes and geriatric nursing assistants 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 scribe, becoming a geriatric nursing assistant takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a geriatric nursing assistant has an average salary of $34,595, which is higher than the $30,045 average annual salary of a medical scribe.

The top three skills for a medical scribe include patients, medical terminology and excellent organizational. The most important skills for a geriatric nursing assistant are patients, rehabilitation, and vital signs.

Medical scribe vs geriatric nursing assistant overview

Medical ScribeGeriatric Nursing Assistant
Yearly salary$30,045$34,595
Hourly rate$14.44$16.63
Growth rate16%9%
Number of jobs80,035137,681
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 23%
Average age3742
Years of experience123

What does a medical scribe do?

As a medical scribe, their main responsibility is to follow a physician's daily work and do charting of patient encounters in real-time by accessing their medical electronic health record (EHR). It is their duty to make sure the patient schedules are followed, generate referral letters for physicians and manage and sort medical documents within the EHR. Medical scribes can be held as data custodians, medical assistants, and nurses to focus on patient in-take and care throughout clinic hours. In addition, they manage patient flow through the clinic and increase productivity to cater to more patients.

What does a geriatric nursing assistant do?

A geriatric nursing assistant is responsible for assisting elderly patients with their daily activities in a health care institution or private household setting. Geriatric nursing assistants monitor the patients' conditions, maintain an organized record of medical charts, administer medications, and update the attending physician for any health concerns. They also guide the patients with their doctor appointments, process medical documents, and coordinate with medical staff for medical procedures and payments. A geriatric nursing assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills to ensure high-quality care services for the patients and help them improve their lifestyle.

Medical scribe vs geriatric nursing assistant salary

Medical scribes and geriatric nursing assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical ScribeGeriatric Nursing Assistant
Average salary$30,045$34,595
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $25,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsHawaii
Best paying companyBoston Medical CenterCareerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between medical scribe and geriatric nursing assistant education

There are a few differences between a medical scribe and a geriatric nursing assistant in terms of educational background:

Medical ScribeGeriatric Nursing Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 23%
Most common majorBiologyNursing
Most common college--

Medical scribe vs geriatric nursing assistant demographics

Here are the differences between medical scribes' and geriatric nursing assistants' demographics:

Medical ScribeGeriatric Nursing Assistant
Average age3742
Gender ratioMale, 28.4% Female, 71.6%Male, 13.4% Female, 86.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 20.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%7%

Differences between medical scribe and geriatric nursing assistant duties and responsibilities

Medical scribe example responsibilities.

  • Manage sensitive and confidential materials such as patient health records following HIPAA regulations.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Rotate in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, and burn medicine departments
  • Transcribe patient orders including laboratory tests results, radiology test findings, medications, allergies.
  • Utilize PC and LIS to enter and retrieve patient data, includes verifying orders and retrieving results using HIPAA compliance.
  • Perform Phlebotomy procedures on patients.
  • Show more

Geriatric nursing assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Commend for teamwork and compassion towards the residents.
  • Transport patients to the ICU or emergency department.
  • Maintain CPR certificate while practicing in a healthcare facility.
  • Complete other tasks such as feeding and assisting with activities of daily living (ADL).
  • Perform ADL's such as feeding, bathing, dressing, toileting, and personal hygiene.
  • Show more

Medical scribe vs geriatric nursing assistant skills

Common medical scribe skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Medical Terminology, 17%
  • Excellent Organizational, 10%
  • Physician Assistants, 8%
  • Emergency Medicine, 6%
  • HIPAA, 4%
Common geriatric nursing assistant skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • Rehabilitation, 12%
  • Vital Signs, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • CPR, 10%
  • Medical Equipment, 4%

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