While the job titles of medical assistants and medical office assistants are very similar, there are two different positions in a medical office. There is some overlap with their duties, and they often work in most of the same places. However, there are key differences which we will discuss in detail below.
The demand for qualified healthcare workers has never been higher, and medical assistants are projected to be an in-demand job over the next decade. Let’s examine the similarities and differences between medical assistants and medical office assistants.
For more information, read our comprehensive guide on becoming a medical assistant here.
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants help physicians with clinical and administrative tasks and work under the supervision of a licensed doctor or nurse practitioner. Some tasks medical assistants perform are preparing patients for examination, taking vital signs, updating patient records, scheduling appointments, collecting patient samples, and insurance processing. You’ll find medical assistants working in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, ambulatory services and outpatient facilities. Without medical assistants, physicians would have less time to treat their patients.
What is a Medical Office Assistant?
Medical office assistants help keep a medical office or healthcare facility running smoothly by taking care of administrative tasks. They are detail-oriented workers who may handle office paperwork, call patient insurance companies, order supplies, write the office schedule, or send appointment reminders to patients. You’ll find medical office assistants working in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Medical Assistant Roles and Responsibilities
One of the biggest differences between a medical assistant and medical office assistant is that a medical assistant (MA) does both clinical and administrative tasks. A medical office assistant (MOA) focuses strictly on administrative responsibilities.
Medical assistants may be tasked with the following duties:
- Welcoming patients and answering the phone
- Preparing patients for medical examinations
- Measuring vital signs, like blood pressure, pulse, etc.
- Recording and updating patient medical histories
- Drawing blood for testing
- Removing sutures and changing dressings
- Performing basic laboratory exams
- Helping physicians with medical examinations
- Administering injections per physician’s instructions and as regulated by state law
- Giving vaccines in states where it is allowed
- Administering medications as set up and reviewed by physician
- Providing patient education
- Setting appointments for patients
- Overseeing patients’ medical records
- Inputting and supervising patients’ insurance information
- Organizing necessary information, such as hospital admissions and laboratory services
- Handling patient correspondence
- Moving patient information from paper records to electronic health records (EHR)
Medical Office Assistant Roles and Responsibilities
Unlike medical assistants, a medical office assistant (sometimes also known as a medical administrative assistant or medical secretary) focuses on the clerical and administrative duties in a healthcare facility.
Here are some of the duties a medical office assistant might be responsible for:
- Managing the front desk
- Answering phones and greeting patients
- Checking patients in and out of appointments
- Scheduling patient follow-up appointments
- Maintaining patient charts and medical records
- Calling insurance companies and sending insurance billing
- Monitoring the office schedule
- Filing and organizing office paperwork
- Medical office bookkeeping
- Ordering office and medical supplies
Similarities and Differences: Medical Assistant vs Medical Office Assistant
Medical Assistant |
Medical Office Assistant |
|
|
Description |
Works under physician supervision, assists doctors with clinical and administrative tasks. |
Works for doctor's office or clinic, responsible for running front end of facility and administrative tasks. |
|
Responsibilities |
Preparing patients for exams, taking vital signs, collecting patient samples, updating medical records, scheduling appointments, contacting insurance companies, administering vaccines, drawing blood (some states). |
Greeting patients, scheduling appointments, maintaining health records, contacting insurance, ordering supplies, office paperwork. |
|
Workplaces |
Physician offices, hospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities, ambulatory services |
Physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities |
|
Work Hours |
Monday through Friday normal business hours, some weekends or holidays. |
Monday through Friday, normal business hours. |
|
Job Growth (Projected) |
15% (2023 to 2033) |
10% (2022 to 2032) |
|
Median Salary (all US, 2023) |
$42,000 |
$40,060 |
|
Education and Training |
Certification not formally required, but employers might be required by malpractice insurance carriers. High school diploma to enroll in training program. Must complete training program and externship for certification exam. |
On the job training okay, but certification highly preferred. High school diploma required for training program enrollment. Must know medical terminology. |
Education and Training Requirements: Medical Assistants and Medical Office Assistants
Both medical assistants and medical office assistants are encouraged to earn certification. Though certification is not required to work as a medical assistant in California, employers may look for certified candidates due to requirements from malpractice insurance carriers.
Medical assistants must complete a training program and pass an exam to become certified. These training programs may take anywhere from six to twelve months to complete.
Medical office assistants also have certification exams, the most common being the CMAA which is certified by the National Healthcare Association (NHA).
Students only need a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in these training programs.
Medical Assistants and Medical Office Assistants: Job Outlook and Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for medical assistants will increase about 15% between 2023 and 2033.[1] This is much faster job growth than the average for most jobs in the US. As of May 2023, the median average salary for medical assistants in the US was $42,000 and the median hourly wage was $20.19. In California in 2023, the mean annual salary for medical assistants was $50,900 and the mean average wage was $24.47.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that in May 2023, the median average salary for medical office assistants in the US was $40,640 and the median hourly wage was $19.54. In California in 2023, the mean annual salary for medical office assistants was $51,830 and the mean average wage was $24.92.
Start Your Career as a Medical Assistant in About 36 Weeks
If you’ve put off starting your new career long enough, Campus Sacramento, formerly MTI College, has a medical assistant training program that will help you earn your certification in about 36 weeks. You’ll learn the clinical and administrative skills you need to begin your medical assistant career! For more information on tuition, financial aid, and start dates, contact our helpful Admissions team or call 888-675-2460 today.
[1]: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.