What’s the Difference Between a Medical Assistant Specialist and a Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other health care professionals. medical assistant specialists have more training and experience than Medical assistants and they may perform more complex tasks.

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Job duties

The duties of a medical assistant may vary depending on the size and type of the healthcare facility where they work. In general, Medical Assistants are responsible for a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Medical assistant specialists typically have more responsibilities than medical assistants, and their duties may include additional clinical tasks such as taking patient histories, performing physical exams, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests. Medical assistant specialists may also be responsible for providing patient education, scheduling appointments, and handling insurance billing and coding.

Training and Education

There are several medical assistant programs available, ranging from brief vocational programs to two-year associate’s degree programs. Many community colleges offer medical assistant programs, as do some hospitals and career schools.

While all medical assistants must complete a training program, some states require certification or licensure for medical assistants. Certification is voluntary in most states but may be required by some employers. Employers may also prefer to hire certified medical assistants. A few states have certification requirements for certain tasks performed by medical assistants, such as taking X-rays.

Medical assistant specialists often have more training than regular medical assistants. They may complete a one- to two-year training program or earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting. They also may take additional classes in a specialty area, such as ophthalmology or podiatry.

Salary

Across the U.S., medical assistants make a median salary of $33,610 per year, which equates to $16.17 per hour.* However, salaries can range from as low as $22,700 to as high as $48,700.* Your earnings will depend on factors such as your geographic location, work setting, years of experience and level of education.

Medical assistants who have completed a postsecondary education program earn higher salaries than those who have not. In addition, those who hold certification earn more than those who don’t. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential is awarded by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To qualify for this credential, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assistant program and pass a certification exam.

Job outlook

The job outlook for medical assistants is very positive. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs should be strong because there are many more applicants than there are jobs.

Pros and cons

While both medical assistants and medical assistant specialists perform administrative and clinical tasks, there are some key differences between the two roles. Medical assistants typically have less formal training than medical assistant specialists, who must complete an accredited postsecondary educational program. Medical assistants also generally have more defined job duties and may be responsible for tasks such as scheduling appointments, taking patient vital signs, and preparing treatment rooms. Medical assistant specialists may have a more generalized administrative role or may specialize in a particular area of medical assisting, such as billing and coding or insurance processing.

Medical assistants typically earn less than medical assistant specialists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018, while medical assistant specialists earned a median salary of $36,720 over the same period. However, salaries for both occupations can vary depending on factors such as experience, education, geographic location, and employer type.

What’s the difference between a medical assistant specialist and a medical assistant?

A medical assistant performs both clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They might take medical histories, measure patients’ vital signs, prepare blood for lab work, give injections, help with minor office surgeries and assist with insurance paperwork. A medical assistant specialist has additional training in a particular area of medicine. For example, they might specialize in working with patients who have diabetes, or they might have expertise in billing and coding.

What’s the best way to become a medical assistant specialist or medical assistant?

There are many ways to become a medical assistant specialist or medical assistant. The best way to become a medical assistant specialist or medical assistant is to have a combination of training, experience, and certification.

Medical assistant specialists generally have more training than medical assistants. They may have completed an accredited medical assisting program and have earned a certificate or diploma. In addition, they may have completed on-the-job training. Some states require medical assistant specialists to be licensed or registered.

Medical assistants generally have less training than medical assistant specialists. They may have completed a short medical assisting program or on-the-job training. Most states do not require medical assistants to be licensed or registered.

What are the top skills for a medical assistant specialist or medical assistant?

Listening skills: Medical assistants must be able to listen to and understand a patient’s symptoms, as well as the instructions from a physician.

Detail oriented: Because medical assistants will be responsible for taking patient histories, measuring vital signs, and other tasks that require attention to detail.

Interpersonal skills: Medical assistants must be able to interact with patients in a caring and professional manner.

Physical stamina: Medical assistants may have to stand for long periods of time, as well as lift or turn patients who are unable to do so themselves.

Technical skills: Medical assistants must be able to use various medical equipment such as EKG machines and blood pressure monitors. They must also be proficient in Medical Terminology and documentatio

What are the top companies hiring for medical assistant specialist or medical assistant?

There are many different types of medical assistants, but the two most common are medical assistant specialists and medical assistants. Both types of medical assistants perform many of the same tasks, such as taking medical histories and vital signs, but there are some key differences between them.

Medical assistant specialists typically have more training and experience than medical assistants. They often work in specialized areas, such as surgery or pediatrics. Medical assistant specialists may also be responsible for more complex tasks, such as ordering laboratory tests or scheduling appointments.

If you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, it’s important to research the different types of positions available to find one that best fits your skills and interests. Many community colleges offer programs specifically for medical assistants, and many hospitals and clinics also have training programs for new hires.

What are the top cities for medical assistant specialist or medical assistant?

There are many different types of medical assistant positions available, and the duties of each position can vary depending on the particular city in which you work. However, in general, medical assistant specialist positions are typically found in larger cities, while medical assistants are more likely to be found in smaller towns and rural areas. Medical assistant specialists typically have more responsibilities and may require more training than medical assistants, but both types of positions can be extremely rewarding.