Post job

Nurse technician vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between nurse technicians and medical assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-3 months to become a nurse technician, becoming a medical assistant/phlebotomist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $33,674, which is higher than the $33,005 average annual salary of a nurse technician.

The top three skills for a nurse technician include patients, CPR and vital signs. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Nurse technician vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Nurse TechnicianMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$33,005$33,674
Hourly rate$15.87$16.19
Growth rate9%16%
Number of jobs195,553189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age4237
Years of experience312

What does a nurse technician do?

Nurse technicians, also known as nursing aides, assistants, or attendants, usually work in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Primarily, they help a registered nurse by providing essential mobility, care, and support to patients. Everyday routine duties include maintaining patients' hygiene and moving them using wheelchairs or stretchers around the facility for their meals, treatment, events, and other activities. They do tasks that help improve a patient's comfort level and become their caregivers in the long run. This job requires a high school diploma along with the completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.

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.

Nurse technician vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Nurse technicians and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Nurse TechnicianMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$33,005$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateOregonMassachusetts
Best paying companyCarondelet High SchoolConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareFinance

Differences between nurse technician and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

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

Nurse TechnicianMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Nurse technician vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

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

Nurse TechnicianMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age4237
Gender ratioMale, 16.9% Female, 83.1%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage7%6%

Differences between nurse technician and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Nurse technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Deliver timely and quality patient care on rehabilitation unit under direct supervision of staff nurses.
  • Assist patients with ADL's: bathing, transferring, ambulating, changing bed linens, skin care, etc.
  • Assist and serve patients with activities of daily living (ADL) in a manner conductive to their safety and comfort.
  • Assist new surgical patients with appropriate equipment to meet rehabilitation needs, and offer mental encouragement for a more positive recovery.
  • Pick up patient for surgery.
  • 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

Nurse technician vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common nurse technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%
Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

Browse healthcare support jobs