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Medical specialist vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between medical specialists and medical assistant/phlebotomists 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 specialist and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a medical specialist has an average salary of $40,277, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for a medical specialist include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Medical specialist vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Medical SpecialistMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$40,277$33,674
Hourly rate$19.36$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs68,607189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a medical specialist do?

Medical specialists are responsible for diagnosing patients and performing medical procedures according to their areas of expertise. They coordinate with the clinical team on administering medications, conducting laboratory examinations, and monitoring admitted patients, ensuring that they receive high-quality care services from the medical staff. A medical specialist also communicates with the patients' families to respond to their medical inquiries and concerns, as well as providing them with updates on the patients' progress. A medical specialist observes the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities at all times, including the inspection of medical tools and equipment for operations.

What does a medical assistant/phlebotomist do?

Medical assistants/phlebotomists are medical personnel who execute administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities or units. They are responsible for providing healthcare to patients such as immunization administration, orthopedic supplies, and wound care. It is part of their job to take the blood of patients for blood testing. They also take charge of handling other medical tests for the upkeep of patients' health. These professionals should exhibit compatibility, initiative, and cohesiveness within the team.

Medical specialist vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Medical specialists and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical SpecialistMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$40,277$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $75,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyAdobeConviva
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between medical specialist and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a medical specialist and a medical assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

Medical SpecialistMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Medical specialist vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between medical specialists' and medical assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

Medical SpecialistMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 42.6% Female, 57.4%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical specialist and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Medical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Administer first aid, medication, emergency medical treatment, CPR, triage, and evacuation procedures.
  • Provide tactical medical instruction and services in emergency medical care of patients in austere and complex, out-of-hospital environments.
  • Provide mass casualty triage support, including administering emergency treatment, stabilizing patients, and routing them to appropriate medical facilities.
  • Provide wound care, sutures, injections, and CPR as needed.
  • Take vitals, = collecting co-pays, appt scheduling, radiology scheduling, triage, etc.
  • Operate equipment such as: electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, and bag-valve mask resuscitators in advance life-support environments.
  • Show more

Medical assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Provide back-office support, inventory control, training and supervision to ensure compliance with HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Used CPR training on several occasions.
  • Assist physician in the operating room during surgery and delivery.
  • Validate and ensure that forms for the releases of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
  • Sanitize equipment and follow OSHA guidelines.
  • Show more

Medical specialist vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common medical specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Utilization Management, 5%
  • Medical Management, 4%
  • Patient Education, 4%
Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

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