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Public health assistant vs medical specialist

The differences between public health assistants and medical specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a medical specialist has an average salary of $40,277, 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 specialist are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Public health assistant vs medical specialist overview

Public Health AssistantMedical Specialist
Yearly salary$38,433$40,277
Hourly rate$18.48$19.36
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs105,10468,607
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 specialist do?

Medical specialists are responsible for diagnosing patients and performing medical procedures according to their areas of expertise. They coordinate with the clinical team on administering medications, conducting laboratory examinations, and monitoring admitted patients, ensuring that they receive high-quality care services from the medical staff. A medical specialist also communicates with the patients' families to respond to their medical inquiries and concerns, as well as providing them with updates on the patients' progress. A medical specialist observes the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities at all times, including the inspection of medical tools and equipment for operations.

Public health assistant vs medical specialist salary

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Specialist
Average salary$38,433$40,277
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $21,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyEmory HealthcareAdobe
Best paying industryNon Profits-

Differences between public health assistant and medical specialist education

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorPublic HealthNursing
Most common college--

Public health assistant vs medical specialist demographics

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

Public Health AssistantMedical Specialist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 21.6% Female, 78.4%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between public health assistant and medical specialist 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 specialist example responsibilities.

  • Administer first aid, medication, emergency medical treatment, CPR, triage, and evacuation procedures.
  • Provide tactical medical instruction and services in emergency medical care of patients in austere and complex, out-of-hospital environments.
  • Provide mass casualty triage support, including administering emergency treatment, stabilizing patients, and routing them to appropriate medical facilities.
  • Provide wound care, sutures, injections, and CPR as needed.
  • Take vitals, = collecting co-pays, appt scheduling, radiology scheduling, triage, etc.
  • Operate equipment such as: electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, and bag-valve mask resuscitators in advance life-support environments.
  • Show more

Public health assistant vs medical specialist skills

Common public health assistant skills
  • NYC, 12%
  • School Health, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Health Education, 6%
Common medical specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Utilization Management, 5%
  • Medical Management, 4%
  • Patient Education, 4%

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