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Optometrist assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between optometrist assistants 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 an optometrist assistant and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, an optometrist assistant has an average salary of $122,813, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for an optometrist assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and exam rooms. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Optometrist assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Optometrist AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$122,813$33,674
Hourly rate$59.04$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs48,461189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Optometrist assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Optometrist assistants and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Optometrist AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$122,813$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $85,000 And $177,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Conviva
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between optometrist assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

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

Optometrist AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorBusinessMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Optometrist assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

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

Optometrist AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 11.8% Female, 88.2%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 24.7% Asian, 9.9% White, 50.0% 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 optometrist assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Optometrist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Pretest patients on NCT, OCT, refractomotor, visual field machine, and retinal camera.
  • Check in and work up patients for eye exam, assist optometrist with retinal photos, glaucoma testing and basic refraction.
  • Perform require pretests for the Dr's.
  • Perform OCT scan of optic nerve, macula, and fundus photo.
  • Clean and maintain equipment and instruments in the optometric area, pre-test room, and restock inventories.
  • 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

Optometrist assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common optometrist assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 7%
  • Exam Rooms, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Eye Exams, 3%
  • Front Desk, 3%
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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