April 11, 2018 Show
What Are The Differences?On the surface there doesn’t seem to be much difference between medical assistant and medical administrative assistant but, despite the similarity in names, the two positions have very different roles and responsibilities. Both medical assistants and medical administrative assistants are customer facing, and they are one of the first members of a clinical practice to interact with patients during the 990 million visits we make to a healthcare provider each year. The difference between the two roles becomes more apparent when it comes to treating those patients, as the medical administrative assistant is primarily clerical whereas the medical assistant can perform both administrative duties and, to a limited extent, treat patients. What Does A Medical Assistant Do?The duties of a medical assistant will change from practice to practice but, as a general rule, their responsibilities mix administrative and therapeutic tasks to support both the physicians and the practice manager. Below are some of the more common functions a medical assistant might be called upon to complete. Taking Vital Signs – Medical assistants are often called upon to take vital signs from a patient, such as height/weight, blood pressure, pulse and temperature. Give Patients Injections Or Medications – Depending on which state they operate in; some medical assistants are able to give patients injections or administer medication. This process must be directed by and observed by a physician at all times. Help Physicians With Patient Examinations – The medical assistant delete assists physicians when they are conducting an examination of a patient. Both this and the opportunity to administer medical are ideal experiences for those interested in furthering their career in medicine potentially training in nursing roles. What Does A Medical Administrative Assistant Do?The role of the medical administrative assistant is mainly clerical and they are not called on to participate in clinical procedures. They are, however, responsible for a range of administrative tasks to ensure the office they are managing functions smoothly. These tasks do vary, but typically include the following: Compiling Medical Records And Charts – One of the primary responsibilities of the medical administrative assistant is the compiling and maintaining of medical records and charts. This task requires a high level of accuracy and a methodical nature as accuracy is hugely important. Scheduling Appointments – The medical administrative assistant is often responsible for scheduling patient appointments, this task requires good organizational skills, attention to detail and computer literacy. Filing Insurance Paperwork – Part of the medical administrative assistant’s duties may include filling required insurance paperwork, this also requires a significant level of accuracy and attention to detail. Experience in providing administrative support for their practice allows medical administrative assistant the opportunity to potentially move into practice or office management roles. Which Role Would I Suit?Both our medical administrative assistant school and our medical assistant program offer our students the skills and training they will need to find a career in one of the fastest growing job markets in the US. Our course allow our students the opportunity to choose between the more hands-on medical assistant or the administrative responsibilities of the medical administrative assistant. If you’d like to learn more about what our medical assistant and medical administrative assistant courses can offer you, call one of our enrollment specialists on (702) 403-1592 today. We provide flexible learning, with online and on-campus night classes to accommodate your Las Vegas work and family schedule. Once you’ve graduated, our dedicated and experienced Career Services team will work with you to help you find the best employment opportunities in Las Vegas. Call us now on (702) 403-1592 to start your journey! Written by: Jenette Ashcraft, N.C.M.A.
Program Availability Your Zip Code: 53051 Banner Image While their job titles are similar, the roles medical assistants and medical office administrators play in the healthcare industry are different. Both will continue to be in-demand careers over the next decade, with employment growth for all healthcare occupations being largely driven by an aging population and increased need for healthcare services. Here are some key differences between medical assisting and medical office administration. 1. ResponsibilitiesThe primary difference between a medical assistant and a medical office administrator is that medical assistants play a more direct role in patient care. A medical assistant carries out various clinical tasks such as measuring vital signs, taking blood pressure, drawing blood and administering pregnancy tests. They can assist the doctor during patient exams, or they may take notes. Medical assistants also have a variety of administrative responsibilities such as answering phone calls, greeting patients when they first come into a clinic and gathering patient information, such as billing and contact information. While medical assistants have both clinical and clerical duties, a medical office administrator mostly plays an administrative role in a healthcare organization. For this reason, they can also be known as medical secretaries, medical office assistants or medical administrative assistants. They handle bookkeeping tasks and act as a liaison between medical staff and the patient, making sure that patient records are up to date, appointments are scheduled and more. They also often manage the front desk of the organization and are responsible for ensuring that patients have a positive and smooth experience when they arrive for appointments. 2. EducationMedical assistants and medical office administrators have different educational requirements. Most medical assistant positions require either a diploma in medical assisting (DMAS) or an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services (ASMAS). While both degrees will qualify you for some entry-level positions, your program choice is based entirely on your needs.
Becoming a medical office administrator does not always require a degree. However, earning your degree can provide you with leverage over candidates who don’t have formal training or certification. Herzing also offers two programs for students interested in medical office administration:
3. SkillsBecause medical assistants have both clinical and clerical responsibilities, they need a variety of skills, including:
While the above soft skills are great for any professional to have, medical office administrators, should also be:
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth. Classes Start October 31stLearn More Today
Ready to get started? Contact us to request more information What is the difference between clinical medical assistant and medical administrative assistant?The biggest difference? Medical assistants provide patient care. Medical administrative assistants don't. Other major differences include the education you'll need and the salary you can earn.
What is the difference between clinical and administrative?The most significant difference is that the job responsibilities for each one vary greatly. Clinical assistants have to deal with equipment, sterilization, and instruments in their day-to-day work while administrative assistants typically handle more clerical tasks such as billing or scheduling patients' appointments.
Who is an administrative medical assistant?A medical administrative assistant is responsible for providing clerical support to doctors, nurses, and other health professionals by performing various tasks such as scheduling appointments, filing documents, preparing reports, taking care of billing, and answering phones.
What is another name for medical administrative assistant?Medical administrative assistants, also known as medical secretaries, perform administrative functions for a hospital or clinic using their knowledge of medical terminology and applications.
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