Medical Administrative Assistant vs. Medical Assistant

While the titles of medical administrative assistant and medical assistant look similar, they are two distinctly different healthcare roles. At Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA), we believe that understanding these differences is important if you are considering pursuing one of these professions as a career.

To help you, we compare the role of medical administrative assistant vs. medical assistant in areas such as job duties, work environment, training required, and job outlook. If one of these positions sounds appealing to you, at the end, we also share steps you can take to get your education started in each.

Medical Administrative Assistant vs. Medical Assistant Job Duties

In general, both a medical administrative assistant and a medical assistant help a medical office run smoothly. How they achieve this goal is different for each position.

What does a medical administrative assistant do?

A medical administrative assistant — also sometimes referred to as a medical administrative specialist or, simply, an administrative assistant — performs many functions that fall under the umbrella of administrative tasks. Some of the duties they may be assigned include:

• Answering the phone
• Scheduling appointments
• Managing patients’ medical records
• Processing insurance claims
• Transcribing dictation
• Preparing reports for the healthcare provider or other regulatory agencies

To perform these duties, medical administrative assistants must be familiar with medical terminology, medical coding, insurance billing procedures, and more.

Since many responsibilities require interacting with others, medical administrative assistants benefit from having good interpersonal communication skills. This helps keep office communication effective and respectful. It can also help patients feel cared for and understood.

What does a medical assistant do?

Medical assistants support healthcare providers by assisting with direct patient care services. The job duties of someone in a medical assistant position can include:

• Collecting and recording a patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, temp, etc.)
• Collecting blood samples to be forwarded to a lab
• Assisting the healthcare provider with a patient exam
• Recording and updating a patient’s medical history and private health information

Many of these functions involve working within an electronic health record (EHR) system. An EHR is the patient’s medical records in digital form. It contains identifying information — their full name, address, phone number, email, and other contact information — as well as their full medical history. Their history includes previous medical diagnoses, prior medical tests, and treatment plans.

Similarities and Differences in Medical Assistant vs. Medical Administrative Assistant Roles

There is some overlap in these two healthcare positions, as well as several differences. Let’s look at each now.

How are medical assistants and medical administrative assistants similar?

There are a few similarities between a medical administrative assistant and a medical assistant. One is that they both work directly with patients in some manner. Having compassion and empathy in both positions can help provide the patient with a more positive healthcare experience.

Another similarity is that each role has responsibilities related to the collection and recording of a patient’s private health information. This requires being discreet with that information, as well as recording it accurately helping the patient’s health records to be correct and complete.

How are medical administrative assistants and medical assistants different?

One difference between a medical assistant and a medical administrative assistant is the way they care for patients.

• Medical administrative assistants care for patients by helping them schedule future appointments, submitting insurance claims accurately, and answering questions when they call the healthcare office.
• Medical assistants care for patients by collecting and recording important information about their health status (such as their vital signs or blood samples for testing), and by assisting practitioners with patient exams.

Since many of the duties performed by a medical assistant involve providing more direct patient care, this care is often provided within the examination or treatment rooms. Alternatively, since many of the duties performed by a medical administrative assistant are more indirect, they generally occur outside of the treatment rooms and within the office area.

Communication differs for each role as well. Medical assistants may have more interaction with healthcare providers, such as when relaying vital signs or sharing information the patient provides during intake. Medical administrative assistants may have more interaction with other medical staff, such as an office manager or another clinical medical assistant.

Where Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Assistants Work

Medical administrative assistants can be found in doctors’ offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities. Each of these healthcare providers offers direct services to patients. Having a caring and compassionate person to help them schedule their next appointment or handle their insurance claim can make a difference, underscoring the importance of this role.

Medical assistants can also be found in a variety of healthcare settings ranging from physicians’ offices and hospitals to chiropractic offices and outpatient care centers. Since medical assistants obtain and record a patient’s private health information, confidentiality is important. Medical assistants also benefit from having good communication skills and being detailed, enabling them to collect and record enough patient information to create a comprehensive health record.

Medical Assistant vs. Medical Administrative Assistant Training

Another comparison to consider between medical administrative assistants and medical assistant roles is the education and/or training required to enter each of these positions.

Medical administrative assistant education and training

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that entry-level administrative assistant jobs can sometimes be obtained with a high school diploma; however, those working in the healthcare field may need industry-specific training.¹ Some employers might also prefer or require training. A higher level of education may also be required to advance to a higherhealthcare position, such as office manager.

Industry-specific training provides the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties generally assigned to this role. For example, in both of UMA’s medical administrastive assistant training programs — we offer a Medical Administrative Assistant diploma and a Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science degree — you learn about medical terminology, transcription, coding, healthcare reimbursement, and more.

Medical assistant education and training

Medical assistants typically require postsecondary education according to the BLS.² Even if this is not a requirement in the state in which you plan to work, more advanced training may be preferred by some employers.

Again, there are many skills you can learn in a training program. For example, students enrolled in UMA’s Medical Assistant diploma or Health Sciences – Medical Assistant Associate of Science degree program learn about allied health principles, pharmacology, clinical procedures, phlebotomy, minor medical office surgeries, and more.

Comparing Wages for Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Assistants

Who makes more money: a medical assistant or a medical administrative assistant? This isn’t an easy question to answer because actual pay can vary based on many factors, such as:

• Your level of education and experience
• Whether you hold any advanced certifications, such as Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credentials
• The geographical area in which you work
• The type of healthcare facility in which you work

Job Outlook for Medical Administrative Assistants and Medical Assistants

The BLS projects that medical assistant roles could increase by 15% between 2023 and 2033.³ This is anticipated to create around 119,800 openings, on average, during this time. The projected growth for medical administrative assistants is 5% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.⁴ This would equate to roughly 41,300 positions during this time.

One reason for a projected increase in both roles is the aging population, which typically has more healthcare concerns. This could open several opportunities in each position.

Taking the Next Steps: UMA Offers Healthcare Training for Both Roles

Does either of these healthcare roles sound appealing to you? If so, completing a diploma or degree program can help prepare you to pursue these roles, and UMA is here to help.

Medical administrative assistant program options

If you’re interested in pursuing an entry-level medical administrative assistant role, UMA offers two programs for medical administrative assistant trainings:

• An online⁵ Medical Administrative Assistant diploma program, which can be completed in 11 months or more⁶
• An online⁵ Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science degree program, which can be completed in 18 months or more⁶

In both programs, you learn about medical terminology, medical transcription, medical billing, medical coding, and more. When you earn your associate degree, you also take courses about working with computers, professional communication, and patient relations.

Medical assistant program options

If the role of medical assistant is more appealing to you, UMA offers two programs for medical assistant training as well:

• A Medical Assistant diploma program, which can be completed in 15 months or more⁶
• A Medical Assistant Associate of Science/Associate of Applied Science degree program, which can be completed in 21 months or more⁶

Both programs include courses designed to increase your knowledge of anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical assistant office procedures, pharmacology, lab procedures, and communications in medical assisting. The associate degree program also includes general education courses and a variety of electives, such as Accounting for Managers, Patient Relations, Ecology, Psychology, and Diversity in the Workplace.

Why earn your diploma or degree at UMA?

UMA prides itself on its student school support. Whether you’re just beginning your healthcare career journey and have questions about financial aid if you’re qualified, or you’re ready to graduate and want assistance with your job search, we are here for you.

Our philosophy is that care pays back. When we care for our working learners, they are able to help care for others. This creates a ripple effect that can extend far beyond the boundaries of our homes and communities.

You don’t have to take our word for it either. Check out this testimonial in which one grad student shares her experience earning a medical administrative assistant degree at UMA. Here’s another graduate who talks about what it meant to earn a healthcare education as a working mom.

If you’re ready to take the next steps, UMA is here to take those steps with you. Contact us to discuss your options, or to enroll.