Are you interested in a career in the medical field but unsure which path to choose? Two popular options to consider are becoming a chiropractic assistant or a medical administrative assistant. While both roles involve supporting healthcare professionals, there are some key differences between the two. In this blog post, we will explore the responsibilities, education and training requirements, career outlook, and salary potential for chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants.

Introduction

In today's healthcare industry, there is a growing need for skilled professionals who can provide support to medical professionals and ensure the smooth operation of healthcare facilities. Chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants play vital roles in this regard. While their job titles may sound similar, the roles and responsibilities they fulfill are quite different. Let's take a closer look at what each of these positions entails.

What is a Chiropractic Assistant?

A chiropractic assistant works alongside chiropractors in a chiropractic clinic or office. They are responsible for providing support to chiropractors and helping patients receive the care they need. Some of the duties of a chiropractic assistant include:

• Assisting chiropractors with patient examinations and treatments
• Performing administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records
• Educating patients on chiropractic procedures and providing guidance on exercises and stretches
• Maintaining cleanliness and order in the clinic or office
• Taking and developing x-rays (depending on state regulations)

Chiropractic assistants typically work closely with patients, providing them with care and support throughout their treatment. They may also be responsible for handling insurance claims and billing, as well as managing inventory and ordering supplies for the clinic.

What is a Medical Administrative Assistant?

A medical administrative assistant, on the other hand, works in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Their primary role is to provide administrative support to healthcare professionals and ensure the smooth operation of the facility. Some of the duties of a medical administrative assistant include:

• Greeting patients and checking them in for appointments
• Scheduling appointments and managing the healthcare provider's calendar
• Managing patient records and ensuring they are accurate and up to date
• Handling phone calls and answering patient inquiries
• Processing insurance claims and billing patients
• Maintaining confidentiality of patient information
• Assisting with billing and coding procedures
• Managing inventory and ordering supplies

Medical administrative assistants play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing efficient and organized administrative support. They are often the first point of contact for patients and help ensure that the administrative aspects of healthcare run smoothly.

Difference between a Chiropractic Assistant and Medical Administrative Assistant

While both chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants support healthcare professionals, there are several key differences between the two roles. These differences include:

• Job Setting: Chiropractic assistants primarily work in chiropractic clinics or offices, while medical administrative assistants can work in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Patient Care: Chiropractic assistants often work directly with patients, providing them with care and support during their treatment. Medical administrative assistants, on the other hand, primarily focus on administrative tasks and may have limited direct patient interaction.
• Responsibilities: Chiropractic assistants assist chiropractors with patient examinations and treatments, take x-rays (in some states), and perform administrative tasks. Medical administrative assistants focus on administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and processing insurance claims.
• Specialized Knowledge: Chiropractic assistants require knowledge of chiropractic procedures and techniques, while medical administrative assistants need a broader understanding of healthcare administration and medical terminology.

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Administrative Assistant: Job Description

Both chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants play important roles in supporting healthcare professionals. Here is a breakdown of their job descriptions:

Chiropractic Assistant Job Description:

• Assisting chiropractors with patient examinations and treatments
• Performing administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and managing patient records
• Educating patients on chiropractic procedures and providing guidance on exercises and stretches
• Maintaining cleanliness and order in the clinic or office
• Taking and developing x-rays (depending on state regulations)
• Handling insurance claims and billing
• Managing inventory and ordering supplies for the clinic

Medical Administrative Assistant Job Description:

• Greeting patients and checking them in for appointments
• Scheduling appointments and managing the healthcare provider's calendar
• Managing patient records and ensuring they are accurate and up to date
• Handling phone calls and answering patient inquiries
• Processing insurance claims and billing patients
• Maintaining confidentiality of patient information
• Assisting with billing and coding procedures
• Managing inventory and ordering supplies

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Administrative Assistant: Education and Training

The education and training requirements for chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants differ slightly.

Chiropractic Assistant Education and Training:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a chiropractic assistant training program (varying lengths, typically 6 months to 1 year)
• Some states may require certification or licensure

Medical Administrative Assistant Education and Training:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of a medical administrative assistant program (varying lengths, typically 6 months to 1 year)
• Some employers may prefer candidates with certification such as Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Chiropractic Assistant vs Medical Administrative Assistant: Career Outlook and Salary

When considering a career path, it's important to also consider the career outlook and salary potential for each role.

Chiropractic Assistant Career Outlook and Salary:

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of chiropractic assistants is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
• As of May 2020, the median annual wage for chiropractic assistants was $36,430.

Medical Administrative Assistant Career Outlook and Salary:

• According to the BLS, employment of medical secretaries (which includes medical administrative assistants) is projected to grow 10 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
• As of May 2020, the median annual wage for medical secretaries was $38,090.

Final Thoughts

Both chiropractic assistants and medical administrative assistants play crucial roles in the healthcare industry, albeit with different focuses and responsibilities. Ultimately, the choice between these two career paths depends on your interests, desired level of patient interaction, and preference for administrative or clinical tasks. Consider exploring internships or shadowing opportunities in both fields to gain firsthand experience and determine which role aligns best with your career goals.

Dreambound extends its programs to various locations. Visit the suggested blogs to delve deeply into the intricate details of the two vocations, learning about their respective requirements and gaining valuable insights on how to kickstart your involvement:

• Chiropractic Assistant in Utah
• Medical Administrative Assistant in Utah
• Chiropractic Assistant classes near you
• Medical Administrative Assistant classes near you