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Student medical assistant vs medical laboratory assistant

The differences between student medical assistants 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 and a medical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a student medical assistant has an average salary of $37,781, which is higher than the $34,673 average annual salary of a medical laboratory assistant.

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

Student medical assistant vs medical laboratory assistant overview

Student Medical AssistantMedical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$37,781$34,673
Hourly rate$18.16$16.67
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs181,396124,322
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%Associate Degree, 27%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a student medical assistant do?

It is evident that the student medical assistant does work for the administration and clinical expertise. One must know that they are known as medical analysts and devote themselves to addressing the problem of patients and medical assistants.

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 vs medical laboratory assistant salary

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

Student Medical AssistantMedical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$37,781$34,673
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $53,000Between $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 and medical laboratory assistant education

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

Student Medical AssistantMedical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 28%Associate Degree, 27%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Student medical assistant vs medical laboratory assistant demographics

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

Student Medical AssistantMedical Laboratory Assistant
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 9.2% White, 50.9% 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 and medical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Student medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Provide supportive counseling and utilize motivation interviewing to improve patients' ability to manage their medical diagnoses
  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Assist patients with consent forms, HIPAA questions and insurance verification to ensure accurate and timely care.
  • Used word processor and gain experience in EHR software.
  • Prepare examination rooms, take patient vitals, and update EHR.
  • Perform routine tests such as hearing tests, EKG's, vision tests, and specimen collection.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Student medical assistant vs medical laboratory assistant skills

Common student medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Vital Signs, 11%
  • Laboratory Specimens, 6%
  • EKG, 5%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • Patient History, 4%
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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