What Is the Difference Between Patient Care Technician & Medical Assistant?

Patient care technicians and medical assistants

Patient care technicians and medical assistants are valued members of the health care team who give different, yet equally important, contributions. Although many people confuse the two professions, there are important differences between them and the titles should not be used interchangeably.

Education

Patient care technicians usually work in an acute-care setting and are required to complete a post-secondary or hospital-based nursing assistant program. Some medical assistants are trained on the job, although many complete a one- to two- year program of study that includes anatomy and physiology, medication administration, record keeping, and medical terminology.

Licensing

In most states, patient care technicians are required to pass a national exam and must be certified in order to practice. Certification is not required for medical assistants, although obtaining it may improve employment prospects.

Scope of Practice

Patient care technicians help patients with activities of daily living, take and chart vitals, and report important changes in client mental and orientation status. They usually work under the supervision of a physician or nurse. Medical assistants may also work under the supervision of a physician or nurse, and may assist in minor clinical procedures. Clerical duties typically comprise a large portion of a medical assistant's work day.

Level of Care

Patient care technicians generally are more hands-on with patients, although their duties are limited. Medical assistants have the opportunity to assist in the clinical aspect of health care, but may find their skills underused.

Salary

Medical assistants usually earn a median annual salary of $28,300, while patient care technicians typically earn just under $12 per hour.

References

• BLS: Medical Assistants
• Maricopa Community Colleges: Patient Care Technicians