Pharmacy Jobs

Are you one of those people who think that a medical assistant and a physician’s assistant are one and the same? The truth is the two medical professions mentioned are totally different and the only thing that makes them similar is the word assistant. The biggest or greatest factors that make these two jobs totally different are the duties each must do and can do. Another factor is that a medical assistant salary is lower than a physician’s assistant.

So what makes a medical assistant salary than those of a physician’s assistant? The duties and tasks of a medical assistant are limited to administrative. Unlike a physician’s assistant whose duty focuses on clinical practice and patient care. A med assistant can collect vital sign and assist patient for laboratory testing but far more than that is not to be handled by them. A physician’s assistant however can perform clinical tasks such as collecting blood sample, checking the patient and explaining the physician’s medication to the patient.

Another factor that highly differs among the two jobs is the educational attainment one must hold. A physician assistant needs to hold at least an associate’s degree focused on providing general assistance to doctors. The course of a physician assistant covers handling basic clinical procedures and knowing different medical terminologies. They are also trained and educated on how to handle diagnostic, therapeutic as well as preventive healthcare measure on patients as instructed by the physician. Physician assistants can somehow be compared to nurse practioners but an NP is a few level higher when it comes to the roles that can be performed.

Unlike a medical assistant a physician assistant needs to gain a license to be able to work. The requirements and qualifications of a PA is greater and higher compared to a medical assistant. Because of these facts a medical assistant salary is lower than a physician’s assistant. Going back to the roles of a medical assistant, they are more focused on clerical jobs as well as administrative. If you see someone in the hospital who works under a physician’s supervision while performing diagnostics and patient care, they are definitely a physician’s assistant. A medical assistant can usually be seen working at the reception area of a clinic or medical centre while a physician assistant are mostly seen working with a doctor in performing diagnostic exams and preventive care on patients. In general a medical assistant handles a less complex role while a physician assistant perform different types of clinical, operational and healthcare procedures under the supervision of a doctor.