It can be tough to determine the best career route for breaking into the medical field. Medical assistants (MAs) and physician assistants (PAs) are two of the essential vocations in the healthcare industry.
Each has its unique responsibilities, day-to-day tasks, work perspectives, and income potential, but both play significant roles on a medical team.
Keep reading if you’re thinking about becoming an MA or a PA and want to learn more about their specific duties. We have listed the critical differences between these two vital professions.
Medical Assistant Responsibilities
Clinical Medical Assistants (CMAs) are responsible for managing the administrative tasks of a doctor’s office. These tasks include organizing appointments, fielding phone calls, and maintaining patient records. MAs can also gain knowledge about the administrative and clinical aspects of medicine and interact with nurses, doctors, and patients, among other things.
Requirements and Qualifications
In comparison to PAs, MAs have fewer educational requirements, which can be helpful for some individuals. Although MAs have lesser academic requirements than other professionals, they must complete substantial training that can take many years to complete.
Physician Assistant Responsibilities
Physician assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals that assist physicians in diagnosing, treating and managing a patient’s overall health. PAs help physicians in their role and also perform routine medical tasks such as assisting with patient assessments, taking patient histories, and completing physical examinations. They also meet other tasks such as taking vital signs, writing medications, and collecting blood.
PAs often work with and under the supervision of a physician, so they are primarily concerned with the clinical side of medicine. They conduct physical exams, diagnose patients, and order tests like a doctor. They can also prescribe medications and counsel patients on a wide range of health issues.
Requirements and Qualifications
Physician assistants must have a master’s degree in a clinical field of medicine and pass both the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examinations (PANCE) and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). To become a physician assistant, individuals must have a medical degree and a master’s degree or a PhD in the specialty they wish to work in.
Salary Comparison
Although the salary comparisons between MAs and PAs are not precise and depend on various factors, on average, PAs are paid more than MAs get. In 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, PAs made an average of $95,550, whereas MAs only made an average of $33,050.
According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, PAs earned an average of $81,500 in 2012. In 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that MAs earned an average of $36,550.
It is difficult to accurately compare salaries between MAs and PAs because of the multiple responsibilities. PAs can also serve as teachers, mentors, and administrators to new PAs.
Conclusion
Medical assistants and physician assistants are undoubtedly crucial members of a medical team. This article aims to assist those aspiring to pursue a career in the healthcare industry understand the differences between the two.
When deciding between these positions, it’s vital to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Do you prefer to work closely with patients or choose to remain in the background? Do you have a strong desire to help others, or would you like to work in an office environment? Answering these questions can assist you in determining which one is a good fit for you.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive medical assistant training program, consider Northwest Suburban College. We are dedicated to providing career-focused health sciences education in Rolling Meadows, IL. Contact us for more information on admissions and fees.
