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Student medical assistant-externship vs medical research assistant

The differences between student medical assistant-externships 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 student medical assistant-externship and a medical research assistant. Additionally, a medical research assistant has an average salary of $40,303, which is higher than the $35,588 average annual salary of a student medical assistant-externship.

The top three skills for a student medical assistant-externship include patients, vital signs and EKG. The most important skills for a medical research assistant are patients, patient care, and DR.

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical research assistant overview

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Research Assistant
Yearly salary$35,588$40,303
Hourly rate$17.11$19.38
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs178,362125,533
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
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 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.

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical research assistant salary

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

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Research Assistant
Average salary$35,588$40,303
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Worcester, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Norton Rose Fulbright
Best paying industry-Education

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

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

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Research Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical research assistant demographics

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

Student Medical Assistant-ExternshipMedical Research Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 23.8% Female, 76.2%Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
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, 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 student medical assistant-externship and medical research 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.
  • 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

Student medical assistant-externship vs medical research assistant skills

Common student medical assistant-externship skills
  • Patients, 35%
  • Vital Signs, 11%
  • EKG, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
  • Surgery, 3%
Common medical research assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • DR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Phlebotomy, 5%

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