As two popular professions in the healthcare industry, a medical assistant differs greatly from a medical office assistant. Although they sound similar, they differ in duties, qualifications, and salaries.
Barton College highlights the differences between a medical assistant and a medical office assistant.
What is the Difference Between a Medical Assistant and a Medical Office Assistant?
There is a significant difference between the two assistant professions. Simply put, a medical assistant helps doctors with simple medical procedures, while a medical office assistant helps with administrative tasks.
However, the responsibilities of each profession are not the only thing that creates such a difference. The following are other differences between the two professions.
Medical Office Assistant
What is a medical office assistant? It is an assistant who helps with administrative tasks in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies. What does a medical office assistant do? They help with tasks such as:
- Billing patients
- Answering telephone calls
- Making appointments
- Processing medical records
- Checking patients in and out
- Managing inventory
- Processing insurance claims
Medical Assistant
What’s a medical assistant? Medical assistants help physicians with patient care. Medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals just as office assistants do. They help with a variety of tasks, including:
- Recording vital signs
- Educating patients
- Taking blood samples
- Administering medications
In some healthcare settings, medical assistants do administrative tasks. They schedule appointments, submit insurance claims, and bill patients. Other important tasks they perform are updating medical records and maintaining inventory.
Medical Assistant vs. Medical Office Assistant: Training
Medical office assistants can enter the workforce with a high school diploma. However, most employers prefer applicants with relevant education in office administration. In particular, they prefer assistants with a diploma or degree in medical office assistant.
Likewise, medical assistants must have a certificate, diploma, or degree in the medical field. However, they must complete a licensing exam to be approved as medical assistants. While it is not standard practice, licensure increases marketability in the market.
Medical Assistant vs. Medical Office Assistant: Career Growth Opportunities
Both medical assistants and medical office assistants have similar potential for career advancement. For one, they can advance into top managerial positions like instructors or administrators. They can also specialize in areas such as pediatrics or nursing.
The demand for both professions remains high due to two factors. First, the aging population is steadily increasing. Because of this, many facilities hire these assistants to streamline their operations.
Second, many healthcare facilities are opening, resulting in more job openings. Hospitals and private practices are using assistants to reduce physician workloads. Physicians are given more time to focus on important patient care services.
Medical Assistant vs. Medical Office Assistant: Compensation
Medical assistants and medical office assistants receive almost similar compensation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical office assistants and medical assistants earn about $39,740 and $38,190, respectively.
Salary often depends on several factors, the most common being the level of education and the type of healthcare facility. For example, medical assistants in established healthcare facilities earn more than their counterparts in smaller hospitals. Similarly, medical office assistants with advanced degrees or certifications receive higher salaries than those with high school diplomas.
Finding a Medical Career That is Right for You
There are numerous medical degrees you can pursue, and most of them are marketable. You can become a doctor, pharmacist, physical therapist, or nurse. You can also train to become a dentist, lab technician, or pharmacist.
Of all the degree programs, nursing is one of the best. In this profession, you will learn to take care of patients. Seeing patients recover or feel better from an illness can be incredibly satisfying.
You have many places to employ you as a nurse — you can work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Furthermore, you can work in nursing homes, mental health facilities, schools, and hospices.
For a nursing degree, Barton College is the best institution. The college isn’t only accredited by the Commission but recognized worldwide for its high-quality nursing programs. This level of recognition means you will receive a quality education that meets industry standards.
Ready to Start Your Nursing Career? Contact Barton College Today!
Whether you want to study nursing, health promotion, or any other healthcare course, Barton is the best college. We have an experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and hands-on training. We give you a strong start that will lead you to career success.
Contact us to find out how you can achieve your nursing goals. You can also learn more about our admissions process online.
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