The Difference Between Medical Assistant And Physician Assistant

The healthcare business is growing so fast. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry has provided 14.3 million jobs. More than 3.2 million new jobs are projected to be generated from 2008 to 2018 due to the rapid population growth of the elderly.

Two of the most coveted health related career choices among job seekers are medical assistant and physician assistant. Both are extremely significant in the healthcare delivery system. However, these two careers are often interchanged by many. As not to be mistaken over again, we will discuss the two careers independently.

Overview Of Medical Assistants
Not like nurses and doctors wherein one can truly tell their differences and significance in the healthcare area, medical assistants can be challenging to tell. Medical assistants or MAs are in charge in keeping clinics and medical departments in order. Their roles can diversify depending on the institutions they are employed in. Cited below are some of the basic taks of medical assistants:

Administrative Roles
Statistically, 62 percent of medical assistants are working in private clinics. Either trainings are given on the job or they acquire the skills through fast paced or conventional medical assisting programs. Through medical assistant training, students are trained on efficient call managing, organizing patients' admissions, bookkeeping and planning. Those are just some of the basic administrative duties of medical assistants.

Clinical Roles
Duties in the clinical area are dependent on the law provided by the state. These skills are taught as well during schooling. Some of the everyday clinical responsibilities of MAs are vital signs taking, collecting and preparing specimens, disposing of used and contaminated supplies, basic laboratory testing and assisting medical doctor or surgeon during medical check-up. In small and private clinics, doctors can order the medical assistant to prepare and administer medications, change dressings, give telephone prescriptions and check ECGs.

Special Areas Responsibilities
Akin to any healthcare careers, medical assistants can also work in special areas like pediatrics, optometry and opthalmic where they are fortunate to grow professionally. In these areas, it is important for MAs to learn how to multitask because there are instances where they have to carryout various duties all at the same time.

Overview Of Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants are also key players in the healthcare industry. They are health care professionals who are qualified to practice medicine under the watching eye of a doctor of medicine. PAs are permitted to practice according to the bystandards provided by the government.

Unlike medical assistants, PAs have more clinical responsibilities. Their roles and scope of practice depends on their medical experience, knowledge and the governing law. Also, the supervising doctor of medicine's gamut of practice can influence the job of PAs. Having that said, they will be seeing the same cases of patients. If the supervising doctor is under oncology, then the PA will be practicing in the same area as well.

Following are some of the common duties of PAs. PAs are responsible in taking assessment, diagnosing and treating of health illnesses, analyzing and interpreting tests and procedures given to patients, surgery assisting, patient counseling and giving prescriptions. Besides clinical duties, PAs can also practice in line with research, education and administrative.

Medical assistants and physician assistants are two different entities. It is basic to distinguish the two. Nonetheless, be reminded that both are functional in healthcare. They both deserve to be given honor because by the same token they are doing what their job entails.

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