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The differences between pathologist assistants and medical assisting externs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a pathologist assistant and a medical assisting extern. Additionally, a pathologist assistant has an average salary of $50,079, which is higher than the $35,737 average annual salary of a medical assisting extern.
The top three skills for a pathologist assistant include ASCP, patients and PA. The most important skills for a medical assisting extern are patients, vital signs, and EKG.
| Pathologist Assistant | Medical Assisting Extern | |
| Yearly salary | $50,079 | $35,737 |
| Hourly rate | $24.08 | $17.18 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 62,900 | 81,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A pathologist assistant is responsible for helping pathologists in conducting laboratory investigations by studying human specimens and surgical biopsies for diagnosis and identify a person's cause of death. Pathologist assistants perform autopsy functions under the supervision of the pathologist, following the strict safety protocols and regulations. They must have excellent organizational skills, especially in operating various equipment to prevent potential hazards and disease contamination. A pathologist assistant creates a comprehensive report of findings for the pathologist's review before releasing the final records.
A medical assisting extern is responsible for supporting the medical team in ensuring that the patients are offered the best care services by providing treatments and medications. Medical assisting externs' duties include practicing their medical skills by shadowing on medical professionals' activities, assisting patients with their inquiries and concerns, facilitating medical procedures with the doctor's supervision, and learning to operate medical tools and equipment as needed. A medical assisting extern must have excellent knowledge in the health industry, as well as a fast-learner to be familiarized with the complexities of medical processes and procedures.
Pathologist assistants and medical assisting externs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pathologist Assistant | Medical Assisting Extern | |
| Average salary | $50,079 | $35,737 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $101,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | Essentia Health | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a pathologist assistant and a medical assisting extern in terms of educational background:
| Pathologist Assistant | Medical Assisting Extern | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pathologist assistants' and medical assisting externs' demographics:
| Pathologist Assistant | Medical Assisting Extern | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6% | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 9.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 9.6% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |