Medical Assistant Vs. CNA
Have a growing interest in the healthcare industry?
Believe it or not, there are a lot of positions to be had in this field. However, you might be wondering about two positions in particular: medical assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Are they technically the same positions? Or, do they differ from each other in more ways than one?
This brief overview will explore both professions when it comes to:
· Job description
· Work setting, AND
· Education
Afterwards, we will explore your options. Perhaps this overview will help you make the right choice when going into the healthcare industry.
Let’s dive right in!
At First Glance
First, let’s take a look at both professions, in terms of job description. Although some people might find similarities in the terminology, in actuality, “medical assistant” and “certified nursing assistant” are two different things. Here’s how:
Medical Assistant
A medical assistant is responsible for completing clinical and administrative tasks in either a doctor’s office, hospitals, or other health care facilities. Depending on the size and location, a medical assistant is tasked to do the following:
Courtesy of the National Cancer Institute
· File and update patient medical records
· Schedule appointments
· Admit patients
· Schedule lab services
· Prepare treatment rooms for exams
· Assisting doctors with examinations
· Collect lab specimens
· Perform basic lab tests
· Provide patients with explanations on treatment procedures
· Administer medications and injections
· Medical coding
CNA
A Certified Nursing Assistant, or a Nursing Aide, provides basic care for hospital patients and nursing patients. Now, CNAs do more serious and personal work than medical assistants, since their work is more clinical than basic. In other words, you’ll be more like a caregiver.
The typical duties of a CNA include:
· Answer patient calls
· Help patients with their daily living activities
· Tend to bedridden patients
· Measure food and liquids
· Record food and liquid intake
· Track urinary and fecal output
Work Settings
Now, work settings vary for medical assistants and CNAs.
Medical assistants will most likely work in physicians’ offices, chiropractors’ offices, outpatient facilities, or chiropractors’ offices. Despite medical assistants tending to patient records, examinations, etc. all the time, they’re less likely to have to work overnight or during holidays.
CNAs, on the other hand, have a more demanding work setting. People in this profession are needed 24/7, especially when they provide in-home healthcare. That means that they’ll have to spend nights, weekends, and holidays working.
Courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics
Education
For medical assistants, they don’t need a postsecondary degree. However, employers will still look at qualifications in a well-written curriculum vita. And, you’ll still need to go through some sort of MA training program, which can teach you helpful topics like anatomy and medical terminology.
For CNAs, a certification is required. To be certified, you’ll need to do the following:
· Learn the basics of patient care at a state-approved program.
· Gain experience through clinical work as a student or intern.
· Pass a state-mandated competency exam. AND,
· Pass a background check, or complete continuing education (if needed).
Your best bet is to read up on the healthcare industry, and to study all that you can to pursue either position.
Which Career Is Right For You?
While both positions are great for the healthcare industry, which one is right for you?
Courtesy of Unsplash
Here are some questions to ask yourself when making your career decision:
· How do you want to help the healthcare industry?
· Do you prefer a busy work schedule, or would like a more flexible schedule?
· What kind of healthcare facility do you see yourself working in?
· Do you see yourself as a caregiver (in-home or on-call)?
· Do you see yourself working in the administrative side of healthcare?
· Do you see yourself being by a doctor’s side, as they exam patients?
· Do you see yourself working in a stress-filled environment?
· Do you see yourself working with people on a personal level?
· Is working with elderly patients your calling?
· How long do you want to stay in a position? (This is especially important, seeing that both of these positions have the potential of opening doors to other opportunities.)
Conclusion
Ultimately, the healthcare industry will continue to be a vital part of society. If you want to be a part of this important piece to society, then consider pursuing a career in healthcare, either as a medical assistant or as a CNA. While both positions differ from each other, and have their own pros and cons, it’s ultimately up to you to make the choice on what your career will be like.
By referring to this overview, you’ll be sure to make the right choice, when it comes to making your mark in the healthcare industry.
Good luck!
Michael Dehoyos is a writer and editor at Essay Writing Services and Nextcoursework. As a marketer, he helps companies improve their marketing strategies and concepts. As a content writer, he writes articles about the healthcare industry, medical advancements, and telehealth initiatives.