Post job

Public health assistant vs clinical assistant

The differences between public health assistants and clinical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a public health assistant and a clinical assistant. Additionally, a public health assistant has an average salary of $38,433, which is higher than the $30,215 average annual salary of a clinical assistant.

The top three skills for a public health assistant include NYC, school health and patients. The most important skills for a clinical assistant are patients, customer service, and PET.

Public health assistant vs clinical assistant overview

Public Health AssistantClinical Assistant
Yearly salary$38,433$30,215
Hourly rate$18.48$14.53
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs105,104101,926
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a public health assistant do?

Public Health Assistants will require good communication, teamwork, initiative, interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills for this career choice, as well as a strong work ethic and the ability to be flexible and adaptable. Applicants can expect a payout of around $34K per year in this career choice, which will also require a diploma or GED, plus a master's degree in public health, after which they will be required to improve individual and societal health by monitoring healthy lifestyles, as well as practice preventative measures for injuries and disease and controlling infectious diseases. Their health concerns range from small communities to the entire planet.

What does a clinical assistant do?

A clinical assistant is responsible for assisting medical professionals with medical procedures and ensure a high level of patient care. Clinical assistants perform minor clinic procedures such as taking patients' temperature, sterilizing medical equipment, proper dumping of disposable items, responding to patients' inquiries and concerns, processing payments, arranging appointment schedules, and maintaining an organized record of patients' information, such as their medical history and health insurance records. A clinical assistant must strictly adhere to sanitary and hygienic procedures at all times to promote a safe and clean environment for the patients.

Public health assistant vs clinical assistant salary

Public health assistants and clinical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Health AssistantClinical Assistant
Average salary$38,433$30,215
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $13,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABrockton, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyEmory HealthcareColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryNon ProfitsPharmaceutical

Differences between public health assistant and clinical assistant education

There are a few differences between a public health assistant and a clinical assistant in terms of educational background:

Public Health AssistantClinical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorPublic HealthPsychology
Most common college--

Public health assistant vs clinical assistant demographics

Here are the differences between public health assistants' and clinical assistants' demographics:

Public Health AssistantClinical Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 21.6% Female, 78.4%Male, 18.4% Female, 81.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 9.3% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between public health assistant and clinical assistant duties and responsibilities

Public health assistant example responsibilities.

  • Monitor / enforce OSHA standards and coordinate / lead daily, weekly, and monthly safety meetings to educate staff.
  • Adhere to all Hippa policy.
  • Adhere to HIPAA policies and procedures.
  • Fax medical records and various documents following strict HIPPA guidelines and regulations.
  • Note and report safety hazards discover on patrol and stand by until condition is redirected.
  • Research and identify activities and specialize diets that will help elderly diabetic patients improve their metabolic health.
  • Show more

Clinical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Participate in multiple studies managing CTM activities for various therapeutic areas simultaneously including oncology, urology, transplant, and immunology.
  • Interview patients and interpret EKG recordings transmit via telephone.
  • Maintain CPR certification on yearly basis and perform errands as per the instructions of supervisor.
  • Act as a paramedic including CPR, heart defibrillator, first aid, emergency care.
  • Schedule necessary test such as nerve conductions studies, bone scans, and MRI's.
  • Conduct mini-meetings with small groups of doctors to encourage them to take ownership of their EMR forms.
  • Show more

Public health assistant vs clinical assistant skills

Common public health assistant skills
  • NYC, 12%
  • School Health, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Health Education, 6%
Common clinical assistant skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • PET, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Phlebotomy, 3%

Browse healthcare support jobs