What is a phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist takes blood samples for diagnostic testing. They may also complete administrative tasks related to drawing blood. Some common phlebotomist duties include:

• Explaining the blood draw process to patients and alleviating concerns and fears

• Prepping sample sites with alcohol

• Performing blood draws

• Labeling and storing blood samples properly

• Entering sample information into databases

• Disposing of needles and medical waste appropriately

• Organizing and inventorying needles, syringes, sample tubes, tourniquets, blood draw bags and other supplies

What is a medical assistant?

A medical assistant assists nurses, doctors and other providers. They deliver direct patient care and may have additional administrative responsibilities. Medical assistant duties often include:

• Cleaning and preparing exam rooms

• Checking patient height, weight and vital signs

• Gathering patients’ basic medical history

• Scheduling appointments and answering calls

• Obtaining blood samples

• Updating patient medical records

• Providing hands-on assistance to doctors during in-office procedures

Similarities between a medical assistant and a phlebotomist

A medical assistant or phlebotomist can assist nurses and provide support for administrative and clerical tasks. They adhere to established standards of care, protect patient privacy and follow infection control procedures.

Successful phlebotomists and medical assistants often have traits such as empathy and compassion, which help them connect with patients. Emotional resilience can also be beneficial for both roles.

Differences between a medical assistant and a phlebotomist

Exploring the differences in phlebotomist vs. medical assistant positions can help you determine which allied health worker best suits your team.

Education and training requirements

Education and training is one of the key differentiators between a medical assistant and a phlebotomist. The minimum education for a medical assistant is generally a post-secondary certificate with a hands-on clinical component. Phlebotomists typically have similar requirements.

Phlebotomy training programs may teach students to perform blood draws, the anatomy of the circulatory system, medical terminology related to blood tests and proper techniques for drawing blood.

Medical assistant training programs generally cover a broader range of topics. Anatomy and physiology courses provide instruction about the entire body, and students become familiar with more medical terms. Medical assistant training typically involves instruction in pharmacology and a range of clinical procedures.

Scope of duties

A phlebotomist takes blood samples and performs administrative duties related to blood diagnostic testing, such as inventorying supplies and entering patient information into sample tracking systems.

Medical assistants may draw blood for testing while performing other patient care-related duties. In many cases, a medical assistant’s duties vary daily. They may assist with a procedure one day and spend the next obtaining patient vital signs and updating records.

Required skills

Both roles require knowledge of venipuncture techniques and best practices for blood sample storage. Due to their broader scope of duties, medical assistants usually benefit from additional skills, such as knowledge of billing and coding and how to use thermometers, stethoscopes, blood pressure devices and pulse oximeters.

Licensing and certification requirements

Before hiring for either position, familiarize yourself with the licensing requirements in your area so you can add a valid license to the qualifications section of your job description.

Medical assistants and phlebotomists can pursue supplementary certifications, but the credentials they seek differ. Certifications for phlebotomists may include:

• Phlebotomy Technician (PBT) from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (NCPT) from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

Certifications for medical assistants include:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

• Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

• Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) from the NCCT

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the NHA

Salary and benefits expectations

The average pay of phlebotomist vs. medical assistant positions slightly differs. According to Indeed Salaries, the average pay rate for a phlebotomist is $20.95 per hour vs. $20.13 per hour for medical assistants. Factors that affect hourly wages for both positions may include location, experience, training, certification status and skills.

Phlebotomist vs. medical assistant: Which one to hire

Once you understand the key differences between phlebotomy vs. medical assistant positions, you can weigh the benefits of hiring each.

Benefits of hiring a phlebotomist

Key benefits of hiring a phlebotomist may include:

• Gathering blood samples for diagnostic testing more efficiently

• Increasing practice productivity by delegating blood draws to one employee

• Improving blood draw-related patient safety and laboratory testing accuracy

Benefits of hiring a medical assistant

Benefits of hiring a medical assistant might include:

• Improving patient flow and providing opportunities for expansion by delegating tasks to a new team member

• Reducing labor costs by assigning simple duties to an allied health worker rather than a nurse

• Increasing patient satisfaction rates by allowing for quicker appointments

How to choose between a phlebotomist vs. a medical assistant

Consider the following when deciding whether to hire a phlebotomist vs. a medical assistant:

• Blood draw volume: What is your average blood draw volume per day, week and month? If you perform many draws, a phlebotomist may be the right option.

• Time management: Track the time team members currently spend on blood draws and other phlebotomy-related duties vs. taking vital signs and performing administrative tasks that you might delegate to a medical assistant. If they devote significantly more time to one, you can create the corresponding position to help improve your practice’s efficiency.

• Lab result processing metrics: Compare your average turnaround time and error rate for blood diagnostic testing to the averages for practices of your size. Hiring a phlebotomist may improve patient care, testing times and error rates.

• Patient satisfaction rates: Conduct patient surveys to assess their satisfaction with your procedures for completing blood draws, booking appointments and obtaining vital signs. An allied health professional can help fill any gaps.

FAQs about Phlebotomy vs. medical assistant

Can a practice hire a phlebotomist and a medical assistant?

Yes, a practice can hire both a phlebotomist and a medical assistant, as the two jobs are distinct roles. Depending on your practice needs, you might also consider hiring for one position part-time during your busiest days or hours and creating the other position as a full-time job.

What are travel phlebotomists and medical assistants?

Travel phlebotomists and medical assistants work for medical practices and facilities for short periods, such as a few days, weeks or months. They aren’t traditional employees—they’re either self-employed or work for medical staffing firms.

If you’re unsure whether a phlebotomist or medical assistant may add to your practice, consider hiring a travel allied health professional to assess their impact.