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Student medical assistant-externship vs medical laboratory assistant

The differences between student medical assistant-externships and medical laboratory 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 student medical assistant-externship and a medical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a student medical assistant-externship has an average salary of $35,588, which is higher than the $34,673 average annual salary of a medical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for a student medical assistant-externship include patients, vital signs and EKG. The most important skills for a medical laboratory assistant are patients, customer service, and data entry.

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical laboratory assistant overview

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$35,588$34,673
Hourly rate$17.11$16.67
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs178,362124,322
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 27%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a student medical assistant-externship do?

Student Medical Assistant Externship is a broad term for catering students for short, reliable, and practical work experience. Once you graduate, you can get a chance to meet contacts that may be useful for your career. You can have a better chance to work in a clinic, hospital, and any medical platform after going through this kind of externship.

What does a medical laboratory assistant do?

A medical laboratory assistant is in charge of performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a more experienced medical technician or scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collecting samples such as blood and tissues, preparing slides, running tests using machines and equipment, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. Furthermore, a medical laboratory assistant must also keep the cleanliness of the laboratory, organize and monitor inventories, procure supplies, and implement the laboratory's policies and regulations.

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical laboratory assistant salary

Student medical assistant-externships and medical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$35,588$34,673
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Eugene, OR
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between student medical assistant-externship and medical laboratory assistant education

There are a few differences between a student medical assistant-externship and a medical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 27%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between student medical assistant-externships' and medical laboratory assistants' demographics:

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Laboratory Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 23.8% Female, 76.2%Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.4% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between student medical assistant-externship and medical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Student medical assistant-externship example responsibilities.

  • Perform EKG's, ear cleanings, injections, nail cultures and assist with women's yearly physicals.
  • Gain experience in performing routine patient care interventions while developing strong organizational skills while caring for patients.
  • Shadowed/Assist official personnel on performance of special procedures, patient evaluation, transporting patients, therapeutic exercises and body mechanics/functional mobility.
  • Observe various departments and operations within the hospital and clinical setting environment including surgery, radiology, urology, and emergency.
  • Review and administration of medications, allergies and other pharmacology relate items.
  • Perform CLIA wave laboratory testing.
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Medical laboratory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Direct a team of professionals to achieve superior and consistent ventilator weaning outcomes for long term ventilator dependent patients.
  • Ensure and enforce medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, and CLIA regulations for maximum quality and control
  • Adhere to JCAHO confidentiality as well as maintained CLIA and OSHA standards.
  • Monitor lab performance to be in compliance with CLIA requirements.
  • Ensure CLIA standards are compliant and assist annual state inspectors during their surveys.
  • Conduct intake assessments in emergency room which include administering of vitals, EKG s, and patient prepping.
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Student medical assistant-externship vs medical laboratory assistant skills

Common student medical assistant-externship skills
  • Patients, 35%
  • Vital Signs, 11%
  • EKG, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
  • Surgery, 3%
Common medical laboratory assistant skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Lab Equipment, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

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