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Public health assistant vs medical research assistant

The differences between public health assistants and medical research 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 medical research assistant. Additionally, a medical research assistant has an average salary of $40,303, which is higher than the $38,433 average annual salary of a public health assistant.

The top three skills for a public health assistant include NYC, school health and patients. The most important skills for a medical research assistant are patients, patient care, and DR.

Public health assistant vs medical research assistant overview

Public Health AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Yearly salary$38,433$40,303
Hourly rate$18.48$19.38
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs105,104125,533
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
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 medical research assistant do?

A medical research assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar environment. Their responsibilities include gathering and organizing samples, preparing the laboratories and other facilities, compiling and managing data, updating databases, and conducting examinations and analysis, all while adhering to the laboratory's policies and regulations. They may also liaise with clients, answering inquiries as necessary. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an active line with researchers, coordinating with them every step of the way to ensure an efficient workflow.

Public health assistant vs medical research assistant salary

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Average salary$38,433$40,303
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $25,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWorcester, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyEmory HealthcareNorton Rose Fulbright
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between public health assistant and medical research assistant education

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorPublic HealthMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Public health assistant vs medical research assistant demographics

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Research Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 21.6% Female, 78.4%Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between public health assistant and medical research 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

Medical research assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Conduct intake and triage of medical histories for new and returning patients.
  • Record patient's medical history, vital statistics and information into charts and EMR.
  • Perform appointment scheduling and registration for patients as well as updating patient demographic and insurance information.
  • Perform tests (EKG's), as per protocol.
  • Sustain compliance with OSHA and HIPPA standards.
  • Show more

Public health assistant vs medical research assistant skills

Common public health assistant skills
  • NYC, 12%
  • School Health, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Health Education, 6%
Common medical research assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • DR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Phlebotomy, 5%

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