Only 15 percent work in hospitals, and the remainder can be found in outpatient facilities or chiropractors’ offices.1 Because many of these healthcare locations maintain daytime hours only, MAs are less likely to be scheduled to work overnight shifts or during holidays. The differences only continue from there. Licensed practical nurses typically work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Follow these five guidelines to narrow in on the best. Though MAs and CNAs are both essential to patient care, you won’t need a four-year degree to get started in one of these careers. The healthcare field has been calling your name. Medical assistants aren’t required to have a postsecondary degree, though the BLS notes that employers may prefer candidates who have gone through an MA training program. Medical assistants are most likely to be found in a clinic setting, with 57 percent working in physicians’ offices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 2. Medical Assistant vs CNA Skill Sets. She believes in the power of words and knowledge and enjoys using both to encourage others on their learning journeys, Hannah Meinke | However, consider pursuing a medical assistant position if you prefer administrative duties and less physical contact. However, many CNA training programs do not include internships or other hands-on experience, so students must arrange such experience on their own. The average CMA makes between $30,000 and $35,000 per year, a difference between 20 percent and 40 percent. Medical assistant vs CNA: Main differences • A Certified Nursing Assistant has more clinical duties, providing bedside care while Medical Assistant duties include more demonstrative and procedural work. The information on this site is provided as a courtesy. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers. MA duties depend on the specialty and size of the employer, location and level of training. A CNA’s work of providing day-to-day care makes them a valuable part of any healthcare facility where patients may need to stay long-term. That however, is where the similarities end. This is more than four times the national average of seven percent growth. Many CNA programs do not offer internships, so candidates typically need to find real-life opportunities themselves. The position of an MA focuses on the medical care of the patient, as well as the administrative work. A CNA, also known as a certified nurse assistant or nursing assistant, is a healthcare professional who supports nurses with direct patient care. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. Unlike medical assistants, CNAs do not perform administrative duties. A CNA, also known as a certified nurse assistant or nursing assistant, is a healthcare professional who supports nurses with direct patient care. You know that entering the healthcare field means learning new technical and medical skills. Both professions involve working with patients but at different levels. They spend much of their shifts walking or moving. 4. All Rights Reserved. While their schedule will vary depending on their workplace, they can have the opportunity for a more standard 9 to 5 work week. Medical assistants (MA) and certified nursing assistants (CNA) are health-care careers that involve working with patients of all ages and physical condition, providing them with high quality patient care. Fill out the form to receive information about: There are some errors in the form. Medical assistants and CNAs have plenty of job opportunities in the healthcare industry. Like CNAs, they work 40-hour weeks but can also have part-time shifts. Most of the positions deal with direct patient care, making it difficult at times to know the difference between roles. Medical Assistant vs CNA: Salary Differences As per BLS May 2019 occupational employment and wages report, medical assistants in the USA earned an hourly pay of $17.17 and an annual salary of $35,720 on an average. 1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [information accessed August 6, 2018] www.bls.gov/ooh/. Thanks to the aging baby boomer population, the BLS predicts employment for this healthcare job to grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026. 1 Working in a hospital provides ample hands-on experience, which you can leverage if you want to pursue advanced health studies. So you may need to certify again if you move or take a job in another state. 07.27.2020. They usually do this under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses. The program you have selected is not available in your area. They maintain patient medical records, answer phones, oversee inventory, schedule patient appointments and perform other desk-top tasks. Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college. This article answers the commonly asked questions regarding MAs and CNAs to help you decide which is right for you. A Medical Assistant can work in a variety of healthcare facilities including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals. They also provide internships, allowing candidates to gain valuable hands-on experience before beginning a career. A medical assistant or clinical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists doctors and other health professionals complete clinical and administrative tasks. A Medical Assistant is a bit different than a CNA. CNAs help with bedside patient care, take samples and support registered nurses' needs. The Perfect First Step for Aspiring Nurses. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen College does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. Their job duties include helping patients get dressed, bathe or shower, eat their meals and transfer between a bed and a wheelchair. Luckily, there are plenty of other entry-level healthcare jobs to get your foot in the door of this satisfying field—you just don’t might not know the difference between them. Medical Assistant versus Certified Nursing Assistant Updated By Staff Writer on June 25, 2020 Gaining employment in the medical field is a great career move, especially since this sector is expanding quickly, with jobs like medical assistant among the fastest growing occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . To become a medical assistant vs. CNA, CNAs are required 75 hours of training. CNAs, on the other hand, work directly with patients all the time. These programs teach medical terminology and anatomy that provide a solid foundation for a healthcare career. They also need on-the-job training to learn the employer's policies and operational procedures. 10.05.2020, Will Erstad | Activities of daily living (ADLS) assistance, Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify). • Medical assistants perform more of administrative and clerical duties than CNAs. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Some employers offer part-time shifts, and nursing assistants also work on weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Nursing assistants earn an average of $13.65 per hour. They mostly hire nurse assistants because the occupants often need help with personal hygiene, feeding and physical activities. This makes them more stationary. A Certified Nursing assistant is different from a Medical Assistant. How to Become a Medical Assistant: 5 Steps You Can’t Ignore. Medical Assistant and CNA jobs differ in terms of their workplace and schedule. The average CNA makes between $25,000 and $30,000 per year. … When compared to medical assistants, CNAs have a much shorter training period. Both can be found in hospitals, but each have different responsibilities there. Unlike medical assistants, CNAs do not perform administrative duties. For those considering a career in the medical field who may not want to dedicate years to medical school, becoming a medical assistant or nursing assistant is an excellent option. Please select another program of interest. They can also work as home health aides or in hospice. MA’s … Typical salaries range from $7.25 to $27.70 per hour, depending on location, experience and qualifications. Entering the healthcare profession may be done in several ways. They answer phones for doctors and hospitals, greet patients, fill out insurance forms, and help to maintain patient records. 10.19.2020, Kirsten Slyter | What’s great about becoming a CNA, it will only take 3 to 6 months of school/training. Both medical assistants and certified nursing assistants These facilities are also called assisted living centers and cater to the elderly. Once your education is complete, you officially become a CNA by passing a state-mandated competency exam. Medical assistants have ample opportunities to work in private practices. Certified Nursing Assistants work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities, and home health care. First things first, a position as a CNA is not the same as a MA. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a CNA is $27,520 per year, as of 2017. CNAs, on the other hand, do well with strong communication skills and the physical stamina required to adequately care for their patients. Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs of a medical assistant vs. CNA job. Medical Assistant vs CNA Salary Differences Nationally, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in May 2017 [v] . Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited college authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. They have less of a hand in traditional medical duties and instead focus on helping patients with basic care in hospitals or nursing homes. In any job search, you have to sort through many job postings to find the ones that are right for you. Fiberglass splints, wound care, wound dressings, set the doctors up with suture kits, assist doctors with pelvic exams, collect specimens and take them to lab, take patients to xray, ct, ultrasound, assist the nurses in whatever they need, take vital signs, register patients when they come in thru triage and be an all around gopher. Ashley is a freelance writer for Collegis education who writes student-focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen College. Which is fantastic, remember becoming a medical assistant is 8 to 15 months. They use protective gear such as caps, gown, masks, gloves and goggles. 1. Medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are healthcare professionals that may share similar duties but are separate roles. What is the difference between Medical Assistant and CNA? CNAs: Nurse assistants often work long shifts, sometimes lasting 12 hours per shift. Every time you’re at the doctor, you wonder what it would be like to be the one wearing scrubs, assisting doctors and helping patients. Related: Learn About Being a Medical Assistant. On the administrative side, you can find MAs scheduling appointments and keeping patient records up to date with correct family history and new information from the visit. Their roles overlap but both have distinct areas of expertise and responsibilities. What's the difference between a medical assistant vs. a CNA. This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen College to support its educational programs. Understanding the differences and similarities between the two can help you make an informed career choice. As noted above, Medical Assistants are responsible for both administrative and clinical tasks. This data does not represent starting salaries and employment conditions in your area may vary. Some states may also have additional requirements, like passing a background check or completing continuing education. Federal law dictates that CNAs engage in a minimum of 16 clinical hours, but some programs will require more… Medical assistants typically work in clinics or ambulatory care. While both positions work in healthcare assistance, they have different responsibilities, duties, and educational and certification requirements. Two of those confusing job titles are medical assistant (MA) and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Nursing assistants are responsible for patient safety and take preventative measures to ensure their comfort and recovery. Education ads list training time as full associates degrees (2 yrs). Medical assistants can expect job opportunities to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations. CNA training may be applied to nursing school for partial credit at many colleges or universities, whereas medical assistants would likely need to start a nursing program from the very beginning. There is no obligation to enroll. Diagnostic laboratories allow you to work in an environment with less patient contact. 15. Rasmussen College is not enrolling students in your state at this time. However, the workload is usually heavy, so you must have a high level of physical and mental strength. Medical assistants have an average annual salary of $34,800. 4Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term. They observe the patient for behavioral changes and report any drastic events to nurses. They both assist doctors, nurses and other health-care providers with treatments, procedures and tests. At medical research institutes, MAs run medical tests, schedule patients and maintain important records. A smaller percentage works in home healthcare. On the other hand, nursing assistants earned an hourly wage of $14.77 and yearly wages of $30,720 on average in the US. 3Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 176,594 nursing assistant job postings, July 01, 2017 – June 30, 2018). CNA vs CMA hourly wages range from $13.77 per hour for certified nursing assistants to $16.28 for certified medical assistants. The first step is to learn the basics of patient care at a state-approved program and then gain experience through clinical work, according to the BLS. These habits can sometimes increase the chances of getting a positive response from employers. Clinical MAs have similar functions as CNAs and work closely with patients. Both occupations involve working with patients of all ages and physical conditions alongside nurses and physicians in a medical setting. Rasmussen College may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. The median annual wage for CNAs was $27,520 in 2017, with those in hospitals earning $29,260 and those working in government bringing in $32,860.1. [2] Please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for more salary information. CNA coursework can take place mostly online or entirely on campus, but even online schools require a minimum number of in-person clinical hours to give the student hands-on experience in the field. Medical Assistant vs. CNA. They are supervised by registered nurses and report directly to them in case of any issues with the patient. Working as a medical assistant is quite different from working as a nursing assistant, also known as a nursing ai… The good news is, earning a Medical Assisting Diploma can take as few as 12 months to complete, allowing you to embark on your new healthcare career sooner than later. Medical assistants perform more administrative duties than CNA’s do. How Much Does a Medical Assistant vs. CNA Earn? [1] According to BLS, the median salary for a medical assistant is $32,480 per year, as of 2017. Some of them are also trained on the job by participating in special employer-led training programs. Now it’s up to you to decide which of these career paths could be your first step into the world of healthcare. Connect with Rasmussen College on Facebook, Connect with Rasmussen College on Instagram, Connect with Rasmussen College on LinkedIn, Connect with Rasmussen College on Pinterest, Connect with Rasmussen College on Twitter, Connect with Rasmussen College on Youtube, Human Resources and Organizational Leadership, Information Technology Project Management, CNAs work in nursing care facilities (40 percent), What Is a CNA? On the patient care side, their job duties typically include taking vital signs, administering shots and medication, preparing blood samples for lab testing and helping physicians complete exams. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties. You’re ready to stop daydreaming and start narrowing down your options for healthcare careers. You’ve seen the full rundown of what it means to be a medical assistant versus a CNA. Some factors may influence the rate of pay for both CMAs and CNAs. Both careers require certification and a state license. You don’t want to choose a career path based on salary alone, but you do need to know that the time you invest in a new career will lead you to a stable job with plenty of opportunities for the foreseeable future. The BLS adds that MAs may benefit from being detail-oriented and having analytical skills that will assist them in maintaining patient charts and other administrative duties. If you are comfortable with hands-on patient care, a CNA role will suit you. The primary function of administrative medical assistants is clerical. 2Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 97,069 medical assistant job postings, July 01, 2017 – June 30, 2018). Easily apply to jobs with an Indeed Resume, 3 Habits That Could Increase Your Chances of Getting the Job, Medical Assistants vs. CNAs: Everything You Need to Know. LPN vs. CNA Job Duties and Work Settings Both CNAs and LPNs are integral parts of a patient’s care, and some of their duties may overlap. Medical assistance programs are more rigorous and include classes on anatomy and medical terminology. I work in the ER and I do many different things. Medical assistants: The work condition of medical assistants depends on their specialization. Specialized medical assistants focus on a specific field of medicine such as gynecology, obstetrics or pediatrics. Becoming a CNA requires more training than becoming a medical assistant; therefore, CNAs often have an easier time progressing into a career as an RN. Their clinical training provides adequate knowledge of how to handle these fluids and infectious diseases. Typical programs last between 6 and 12 weeks. : The BLS (May 2016) reported that there are 200,140 medical records and health information technicians—an occupational category closely related to coding—employed in the U.S. If you’ve got your eye on becoming a CNA, you will have to become certified—it’s right there in the job title! Medical assistants enjoy the best of both worlds in healthcare facilities as they move between direct patient care and administrative tasks. This role requires extra training and certification. We analyzed real-time job postings to uncover the top skills employers are looking for in these two important professions. The requirements for becoming a CNA vary from state to state. They are supervised by registered nurses and report directly to them in case of any issues with the patient. By selecting "Submit", I authorize Rasmussen College to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided. The Perfect First Step for Aspiring Nurses. The role requires physical strength and stamina as they must be strong enough to lift objects that weigh 50 pounds or more. Conversely, the average certified nursing assistant pulled in around $28,530 (just over $13 per hour). Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Medical Coder; Number practicing in the United States: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2016) reports that there were 623,560 medical assistants employed throughout the country. MAs administer medications, provide injections and record patients' health information. Each state has licensing requirements for nursing aids and medical assistants. It may be in your best interest to have some schooling under your belt before you pursue becoming an MA. Medical assistant vs. CNA: Education requirements Though MAs and CNAs are both essential to patient care, you won’t need a four-year degree to get started in one of these careers. The healthcare field offers a world of opportunities, all of which are important. Typically, CNAs require 75 hours of state-approved training and a competency test to be certified. © 2021 Rasmussen College, LLC. Medical assistants earn an average of $14.77 per hour. While both positions are entry-level jobs, medical assistants have the potential to earn a slightly higher salary than CNAs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They work in hospitals, physician offices and other healthcare facilities. They prepare patients for examinations, chart their vitals, compile medical records, perform lab tests and support doctors. Medical Assistant vs. CNA Responsibilities: Despite the similar titles of a Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant, the job duties differ significantly between these two careers. Both occupations involve working with patients and collaborating with nurses and physicians in medical settings. This is an ideal work environment for administrative clinical assistants. 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