From what I've read online about Medical Technicians and Medical Assistant, they seem to be very similar jobs.
It seems that they may start off with slightly different training and focuses but after they've become much more competent at the job that they're doing nearly or exactly the same thing.
With Med A's doing:
"Provide initial care for patients;
Provide basic life support treatments in trauma cases;
Assisting with health assessments (to include: perform electrocardiograms; conduct hearing and vision tests; assist with immunizations; collect specimens and perform basic laboratory procedures);
Perform specific environmental health and preventive medicine duties;
Initiate, maintain and distribute medical records, documents, reports and returns
Provide medical support on weapons ranges and during training exercises;
Operate and maintain medical and life-support equipment;
Maintain, replenish and account for general and medical supplies; and,
Conduct first aid, medical and military training."
And Med Tech's doing:
"Provide initial care for patients
In trauma cases, provide basic life support treatments
Prescribe some medications in accordance with their scope of practice
Provide medical support during environmental operations
Recover casualties from the point of injury and transport them to a medical facility by wheeled or tracked ambulance, or by air
Participate in rescues from crashed vehicles, tanks, ships, aircraft and damaged buildings
Give basic advice on disease prevention, hygiene and sanitation
Perform specific environmental health and preventive medicine duties
Collect specimens and perform basic laboratory procedures
Operate and maintain medical and life-support equipment
Perform electrocardiograms and audiograms
Initiate, maintain and distribute medical records, documents, reports and returns
Maintain, replenish and account for general and medical supplies"
They share a lot of similar characteristics
Even into possible civilian job options:
Med A:
"Emergency Medical Responder
Ambulance and First Aid Attendant
Registered Nursing Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurse
Hospital Orderly"
Med Tech:
"Primary Care Paramedic
Emergency Medical Attendant
Ambulance and First Aid Attendant
Registered Nursing Assistant
Licensed Practical Nurse"
However, I'm curious from individuals whom have served if they are actually that similar? On their downtime do they do the same things? Is training and what they do in the field so similar that they are doing the same job with different titles?
What exactly are the differences?
Thank you for your time.