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Unit assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between unit assistants and medical assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a unit assistant and a medical assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a unit assistant has an average salary of $33,802, which is higher than the $33,674 average annual salary of a medical assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for a unit assistant include patients, customer service and HIPAA. The most important skills for a medical assistant/phlebotomist are patients, vital signs, and customer service.

Unit assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist overview

Unit AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary$33,802$33,674
Hourly rate$16.25$16.19
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs174,425189,206
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a unit assistant do?

A unit assistant is responsible for performing administrative duties within a department of a health care institution, ensuring that the patients receive the highest quality care services for their concerns and needs. Unit assistants assist the patients and the visitors, confirm their appointments, and direct them to the correct personnel or medical department. They also manage the adequacy of medical supplies and report defective equipment and machine to the maintenance for immediate repairs or replacements. A unit assistant must be highly organizational, especially on storing medical records and updating patients' information on the database.

What does a medical assistant/phlebotomist do?

Medical assistants/phlebotomists are medical personnel who execute administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare facilities or units. They are responsible for providing healthcare to patients such as immunization administration, orthopedic supplies, and wound care. It is part of their job to take the blood of patients for blood testing. They also take charge of handling other medical tests for the upkeep of patients' health. These professionals should exhibit compatibility, initiative, and cohesiveness within the team.

Unit assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist salary

Unit assistants and medical assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Unit AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary$33,802$33,674
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityWestfield, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyUC Santa BarbaraConviva
Best paying industryNon ProfitsFinance

Differences between unit assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a unit assistant and a medical assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

Unit AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorNursingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Unit assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between unit assistants' and medical assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

Unit AssistantMedical Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 30.0% Female, 70.0%Male, 11.4% Female, 88.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 9.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 8.6% White, 51.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between unit assistant and medical assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Unit assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Carry out necessary duties for post surgery patients which result in quicker test results and recovery time for patients.
  • Follow HIPAA laws and assist patients.
  • Qualify in 12 lead EKG's, and applying 6 lead telemetry monitors.
  • Report any personal or medical complaints and concerns of the patients to the supervising nursing and rehabilitation staff members.
  • Assist patients in activities of daily living, assist in rehabilitation of patients, doctors & nurses in ER department.
  • Show more

Medical assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
  • Provide back-office support, inventory control, training and supervision to ensure compliance with HIPAA and OSHA regulations.
  • Used CPR training on several occasions.
  • Assist physician in the operating room during surgery and delivery.
  • Validate and ensure that forms for the releases of information are current, accurate and complete as defined by HIPAA.
  • Sanitize equipment and follow OSHA guidelines.
  • Show more

Unit assistant vs medical assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common unit assistant skills
  • Patients, 37%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
  • ADL, 4%
Common medical assistant/phlebotomist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 6%
  • Office Procedures, 4%
  • Venipuncture, 4%

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