Medical Assistant vs. Pharmacy Technician: Choose the Right Path
Aug 23, 2019Consider a medical assistant or pharmacy technician career in healthcare! They both offer positive environments and the chance to help others. Decide which best suits you.
Starting a new career takes time, hard work, and dedication. The length of time depends on the program or area you choose. Finding a career that aligns with your goals is crucial for short-term and long-term success. Before making a decision, it's important to research, read recommendations, and carefully consider your options. If you're considering a career in the health field, ask yourself if it's the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
- Differences between medical assistants and pharmacy technicians
- What is a medical assistant?
- Medical assistant skills
- How to become a medical assistant?
- What is the average salary of a medical assistant?
- What is a pharmacy technician?
- Pharmacy technician skills
- How to become a pharmacy technician?
- Pharmacy technician's average salary
Differences between medical assistants and pharmacy technicians
Both careers in the medical field offer a positive work environment and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need. However, the roles of a medical assistant and a pharmacy technician are quite distinct, as they work in different settings. Medical assistants typically work in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, or medical offices, while pharmacy technicians are employed in pharmacies.
|
Medical Assistant |
Pharmacy Technician |
|
|
Primary focus |
Patient care and administrative tasks |
Medication management and pharmacy operations |
|
Work environment |
Hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices |
Retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics (medication dispensing) |
|
Patient interaction |
More frequent and direct |
Primarily regarding prescriptions and medication use |
|
Certification |
Encouraged, not mandatory |
Usually required (national or state-specific) |
|
Educational programs |
Diploma programs (1-2 years) |
Diploma programs (1-2 years) |
What is a medical assistant?
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists doctors and nurses in clinics, hospitals and other medical settings. They can perform a variety of tasks including taking vital signs, scheduling appointments, and helping with examinations. They basically are the right hand of medical professionals, keeping things running smoothly and assisting with patient care.
The projected growth for the work of a medical assistant is 29% from 2016 to 2026, which is significantly higher than other occupations. The increase in population necessitates an expansion of medical services, typically provided by doctors. Consequently, doctors hire additional medical assistants to handle administrative and clinical tasks, enabling them to see more patients.
- About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Medical assistant skills
Here are some of the key skills that medical assistants need:
- Taking vital signs: This includes measuring temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation.
- Performing phlebotomy: This involves drawing blood for laboratory tests.
- Administering medications: Medical assistants can give injections, medications by mouth, and medications through an inhaler.
- Assisting with examinations: They may help prepare patients for examinations, such as by taking X-rays or electrocardiograms (EKGs).
- Scheduling appointments: They coordinate patient appointments, ensuring the smooth flow of the clinic or hospital.
- Maintaining medical records: This includes updating patient charts with medical history, medications, allergies, and treatment plans.
- Billing and coding: Medical assistants may be responsible for submitting medical claims to insurance companies.
- Data entry: Entering patient information and test results into electronic health records (EHRs).
- Customer service: Providing excellent customer service is essential for creating a positive patient experience.
- Teamwork: Medical assistants work as part of a healthcare team and need to be able to collaborate effectively with others.
- Problem-solving: They may need to think on their feet and solve problems that arise in the course of their work.
- Time management: Medical assistants often juggle multiple tasks at once and need to be able to manage their time effectively.
How to become a medical assistant?
To become a medical assistant, several educational requirements need to be fulfilled. These requirements can vary depending on the state and the specific employer but generally include the following:
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It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary depending on the employer, state regulations, and the specific role and responsibilities of the medical assistant. Researching and contacting local educational institutions or employers is advisable to get detailed information on the educational requirements for medical assistants in a specific area.
What is the average salary of a medical assistant?
The average salary of a medical assistant can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the specific healthcare setting they work in. However, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $35,850, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $26,930 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $49,040. It's important to note that salaries may also differ based on additional certifications or specialized skills that a medical assistant possesses.
- As of Mar 13, 2024, the average monthly pay for a Medical Assistant in the United States is $3,447 a month.
What is a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Their main responsibilities include assisting in the preparation and dispensing of medications, managing inventory, and providing customer service.
They may also be involved in medication compounding, maintaining patient records, and ensuring compliance with pharmacy regulations.
Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in supporting the efficient operation of a pharmacy and ensuring the safe and accurate distribution of medications to patients.
Pharmacy technician skills
- Prescription processing: Verifying and entering prescription data into pharmacy software.
- Medication preparation: Accurately measuring, counting, and dispensing medications.
- Inventory control: Maintaining medication stock, monitoring expiration dates, and reordering supplies.
- Understanding medications: Having a working knowledge of medications, their uses, and side effects (though not in-depth diagnosis or treatment planning like a pharmacist).
- Computer proficiency: Using pharmacy software for tasks like data entry, medication labeling, and insurance verification.
- Data entry: Entering patient information and insurance details accurately.
- Maintaining medication records: Keeping track of dispensed medications and patient profiles.
- Preparing insurance claims: Assisting pharmacists with insurance claim submissions.
- Patient interaction: Providing clear medication instructions, answering questions about medications, and addressing patient concerns with empathy and respect.
- Communication with doctors: Contacting doctors for clarification on prescriptions or refill requests.
- Active listening: Carefully listening to patients and asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding.
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with pharmacists, other technicians, and other healthcare staff.
- Customer service: Providing a positive and helpful experience for patients.
How to become a pharmacy technician?
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Pharmacy technician's average salary
The average salary of a pharmacy technician can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and level of education. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2020, the median annual wage for pharmacy technicians in the United States was $34,020, translating to an hourly wage of approximately $16.36. It is important to note that this is just an average, and individual salaries can range higher or lower based on various factors. Additionally, pharmacy technicians may have opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential through additional certifications or specialized training.
- As of Mar 13, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Pharmacy Technician in the United States is $19.27 an hour.
