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Orthopedic cast specialist vs medical assistant

The differences between orthopedic cast specialists and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an orthopedic cast specialist and a medical assistant. Additionally, an orthopedic cast specialist has an average salary of $61,460, which is higher than the $34,900 average annual salary of a medical assistant.

The top three skills for an orthopedic cast specialist include patients, traction and splints. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.

Orthopedic cast specialist vs medical assistant overview

Orthopedic Cast SpecialistMedical Assistant
Yearly salary$61,460$34,900
Hourly rate$29.55$16.78
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs22,101189,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 24%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Orthopedic cast specialist vs medical assistant salary

Orthopedic cast specialists and medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Orthopedic Cast SpecialistMedical Assistant
Average salary$61,460$34,900
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $89,000Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City-Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between orthopedic cast specialist and medical assistant education

There are a few differences between an orthopedic cast specialist and a medical assistant in terms of educational background:

Orthopedic Cast SpecialistMedical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Associate Degree, 24%
Most common majorBusinessMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Orthopedic cast specialist vs medical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between orthopedic cast specialists' and medical assistants' demographics:

Orthopedic Cast SpecialistMedical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 37.4% Female, 62.6%Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between orthopedic cast specialist and medical assistant duties and responsibilities

Orthopedic cast specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient files by making new charts, keying all encounters through ICD-9 coding procedures and posting in patient database.
  • Maintain patient medical record in EMR (Allscripts), casting and bracing as needed, prepare injections.
  • Document clinical findings on the EMR.
  • Code procedure using CPT coding and diagnosis with ICD-9/ICD-10 coding.
  • Assist with in office injections including ultrasound guide injections and PRP.
  • Instruct patient in care of and assist patient in walking with casts, braces, and crutches.
  • Show more

Medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Participate in emergency surgical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in taking patient history and vitals, venipuncture, injections, urinalysis and preparing examination trays.
  • Attend to new out patients in gynecology clinic, make clinical diagnosis and follow up.
  • Provide RMA support to physician, and patients, including but not limit to vitals and patient history.
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Orthopedic cast specialist vs medical assistant skills

Common orthopedic cast specialist skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Traction, 12%
  • Splints, 11%
  • Patient Data, 4%
  • Surgery Scheduling, 3%
  • Durable Medical Equipment, 3%
Common medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • EKG, 4%

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