medical assistant vs cna

However, a CNA’s duties are more specific. A Certified Nursing assistant is different from a Medical Assistant. : 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. On the other hand, nursing assistants earned an hourly wage of $14.77 and yearly wages of $30,720 on average in the US. 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. What’s great about becoming a CNA, it will only take 3 to 6 months of school/training. 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. Medical assistants have an average annual salary of $34,800. 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: Main differences • A Certified Nursing Assistant has more clinical duties, providing bedside care while Medical Assistant duties include more demonstrative and procedural work. 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. 09.14.2020, Kirsten Slyter | Unlike medical assistants, CNAs do not perform administrative duties. She believes in the power of words and knowledge and enjoys using both to encourage others on their learning journeys, Hannah Meinke | CNAs, on the other hand, do well with strong communication skills and the physical stamina required to adequately care for their patients. Rasmussen College is not enrolling students in your state at this time. Please correct the errors and submit again. Medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are healthcare professionals that may share similar duties but are separate roles. The requirements for becoming a CNA vary from state to state. There are, however, some important differences in the kinds of patient care each professional can provide. 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. Typical salaries range from $7.25 to $27.70 per hour, depending on location, experience and qualifications. The valuable care CNAs provide is needed round-the-clock, so they’re more likely to have a schedule with overnight, weekend and holiday shifts. They can also help patients with physical activities, monitor inputs and outputs, check vital signs and respond to their calls. 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. The healthcare field offers a world of opportunities, all of which are important. They also take patients’ vital signs and communicate their patients’ health concerns to nurses. Follow these five guidelines to narrow in on the best. They are supervised by registered nurses and report directly to them in case of any issues with the patient. The differences only continue from there. The Perfect First Step for Aspiring Nurses. Their roles overlap but both have distinct areas of expertise and responsibilities. Medical assistants enjoy the best of both worlds in healthcare facilities as they move between direct patient care and administrative tasks. Related: Learn About Being a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). 1. ", If you feel a career as a medical assistant is right for you, learn more by checking out our article, “How to Become a Medical Assistant: 5 Steps You Can’t Ignore.”. Typical programs last between 6 and 12 weeks. Some of them are also trained on the job by participating in special employer-led training programs. Please select another program of interest. The Perfect First Step for Aspiring Nurses. Conversely, the average certified nursing assistant pulled in around $28,530 (just over $13 per hour). That however, is where the similarities end. 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. MAs can perform clinical, administrative or specialized roles. How to Become a Medical Assistant: 5 Steps You Can’t Ignore. In any job search, you have to sort through many job postings to find the ones that are right for you. 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. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. These programs teach medical terminology and anatomy that provide a solid foundation for a healthcare career. Both professions involve working with patients but at different levels. … CNAs, on the other hand, work directly with patients all the time. The information on this site is provided as a courtesy. More info. Talk with an admissions advisor today. Federal law dictates that CNAs engage in a minimum of 16 clinical hours, but some programs will require more… At medical research institutes, MAs run medical tests, schedule patients and maintain important records. MA duties depend on the specialty and size of the employer, location and level of training. The work of CNAs exposes them to bodily fluids. How Much Does a Medical Assistant vs. CNA Earn? Medical assistants: The work condition of medical assistants depends on their specialization. Typically, CNAs require 75 hours of state-approved training and a competency test to be certified. Some factors may influence the rate of pay for both CMAs and CNAs. 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. Certified nursing assistants earned a median annual wage of $27,520 in May 2017 [vi] . 1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [information accessed August 6, 2018] www.bls.gov/ooh/. What is the difference between Medical Assistant and CNA? Like CNAs, they work 40-hour weeks but can also have part-time shifts. Medical field but their job descriptions are very different CNAs help with hygiene... To be a medical assistant is a healthcare professional who assists doctors and other healthcare facilities as move! Not offer internships, so you may need to certify again if you prefer administrative duties while CNAs as... Assistant is 8 to 15 months, experience and qualifications it 's important to know educational... 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