Medical Assistant vs Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

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Pay

Medical Assistant

$47,800 typical, a year

Most Medical Assistants earn $43,700 to $50,000 a year.

From 3,665 postings that list pay

25,044 open jobs now

Medical Assistant salaries Medical Assistant jobs

Occupational Therapy Assistant

$72,800 typical, a year

Most COTAs earn $67,600 to $82,200 a year.

From 1,188 postings that list pay

3,852 open jobs now

Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries Occupational Therapy Assistant jobs

COTAs typically earn about $25,000 more a year than Medical Assistants.

What each one does

Medical Assistant

  • Take patients' vital signs and record them in the medical record.
  • Prepare patients for examinations and assist providers during visits.
  • Schedule patient appointments and manage incoming calls.
  • Administer medications and perform basic medical procedures.
  • Collect blood and other laboratory specimens.
  • Clean and prepare examination rooms for patient use.

Summed up from 30 job postings

Occupational Therapy Assistant

  • Implement treatment plans under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
  • Assist patients with daily living and functional activities.
  • Document patient progress and communicate updates to the supervising therapist.
  • Educate patients and caregivers on therapy techniques and home exercises.
  • Maintain treatment equipment and work areas in a clean and safe condition.
  • Collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to support patient goals.

Summed up from 30 job postings

Skills employers ask for

Medical Assistant

More common in Medical Assistant postings

  • Medical Assisting 8 in 10 postings
  • Vital Signs 5 in 10 postings
  • High School Diploma 4 in 10 postings
  • Basic Life Support 3 in 10 postings
  • Electronic Medical Records 3 in 10 postings
  • Phlebotomy 2 in 10 postings
  • AAMA Certification 2 in 10 postings
  • Direct Patient Care 2 in 10 postings
  • Medical Terminology 2 in 10 postings
  • Injections 1 in 10 postings

Occupational Therapy Assistant

More common in COTA postings

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant Certification 7 in 10 postings
  • Occupational Therapy 7 in 10 postings
  • Occupational Therapist 5 in 10 postings
  • CPR Certification 1 in 10 postings
  • Occupational Therapy Licensure 1 in 10 postings
  • Cota License 1 in 10 postings
  • Rehabilitation 1 in 10 postings
  • Adaptive Equipment 1 in 15 postings
  • Patient-Centered Care 1 in 15 postings
  • State License 1 in 15 postings

Out of each role's current postings.

Open jobs

Medical Assistant

  • Pay not stated Berkeley, CA, United States
    PhlebotomyOrthopedic SurgeryMedication ManagementVital SignsEndoscopy +5
    Mid level · 3+ yrs exp 2 days ago
    Apply
  • Pay not stated Bellevue, WA, 98007
    Basic Life Support
    Entry level 1 day ago
    Apply
  • Pay not stated Seattle, WA, 98118
    Basic Life Support
    Entry level · 1+ yrs exp 1 day ago
    Apply

Occupational Therapy Assistant

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