At ACI Medical & Dental School, we train our students for in-demand careers in healthcare. With jobs in the medical and dental fields growing at a much faster rate than other professions and more positions than employers can fill, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in healthcare.
With so many possible career paths to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In our Career Comparison blog series, we’ll look at some different healthcare positions so you can make an informed choice. In this post, we’ll compare the Medical Assistant vs. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
What is the Difference Between Medical Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)?
While these careers both involve working with other healthcare professionals to help patients, beyond that, they are very different jobs.
Job Descriptions and Responsibilities
A Medical Assistant (MA) is a flexible member of a healthcare team with a wide range of responsibilities. Medical Assistants work with physicians, nurses, and other professionals to perform various patient care duties, including clinical and administrative tasks.
The responsibilities of a Medical Assistant include, but are not limited to:
- Performing EKGs and phlebotomy procedures
- Assisting doctors in physical exams and minor surgeries
- Taking patients’ vital signs, height and weight measurements
- Dressing wounds and administering medications
- Sterilizing medical instruments and preparing examination rooms
- Updating patient electronic health records (EHR)
- Front office duties, including answering phones and scheduling appointments
A Certified Nursing Assistant works under Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to help sick, elderly, or injured patients with daily living activities and other healthcare needs. CNAs are also sometimes called Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Assistants (PCA), or Nurse’s Aids.
The responsibilities of a CNA include, but are not limited to:
- Turning or repositioning bedridden patients
- Answering patients’ calls or bells
- Feeding patients and recording food intake
- Cleaning rooms and bed linens
- Helping with basic hygiene such as shaving, brushing teeth, and combing hair
- Observing and reporting on patient health to doctors and other nurses
- Provide bedside care for sick and injured patients
Work Environment
Medical Assistant and CNA jobs differ in terms of their workplace and schedule.
- A Medical Assistant can work in a variety of healthcare facilities, including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals. While their schedule will vary depending on their workplace, they can have the opportunity for a more standard 9 to 5 work week.
- Certified Nursing Assistants work in hospitals, nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities, and home health care. They can also work as home health aides or in hospice. CNAs tend to work long hours and, depending on their workplace, might be required to be on call any time of the day or night.
Job Outlook
Both of these healthcare jobs have a promising outlook over the next decade, with Medical Assistant jobs in particular growing significantly faster than positions in other fields:
- Medical Assistant jobs are projected to grow 14% by 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Certified Nursing Assistant jobs are projected to grow 4% by 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Education Requirements
Both of these positions require a minimum of a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED), but from there they differ in the amount of education required.
- At ACI Medical & Dental school, students can be certified to become a Medical Assistant in just four months, with both day and evening classes available.
- Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant requires completion of a state-approved nursing assistant training program, as well as clinical time.
MA Vs. CNA – Which Career Path Is Right For Me?
When deciding between a Medical Assistant (MA) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) career path, several factors should be considered:
- Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Medical Assistants perform a variety of tasks, including administrative and clinical duties. They may handle tasks such as taking patient histories, drawing blood, administering medications, scheduling appointments, and maintaining medical records.
- Certified Nursing Assistants primarily focus on direct patient care, assisting patients with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and monitoring vital signs. CNAs often work closely with nurses and other healthcare staff.
- Work Environment:
- MAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, private practices, and specialty medical offices.
- CNAs are commonly found in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and home health environments.
- Scope of Practice:
- MAs have a broader scope of practice that includes clinical and administrative tasks.
- CNAs have a more focused scope of practice centered on basic patient care and support.
- Career Advancement and Growth:
- MAs may have more opportunities for advancement, especially if they further their education or specialize in a particular area of healthcare.
- CNAs may need additional education and training to advance to higher-level nursing roles or other healthcare positions.
- Salary and Job Outlook:
- The salary and job outlook can vary based on location, experience, and the specific healthcare setting. Generally, MAs might earn a higher salary compared to CNAs, reflecting their broader scope of responsibilities.
- Both fields are expected to experience growth due to the aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services.
Choosing a career path between MA and CNA depends on individual preferences, career goals, and the type of work environment and responsibilities one is seeking. For those valuing diversity in tasks, potential for advancement, and a broader scope of clinical and administrative skills, a Medical Assistant program may be more appealing.
Medical Assistant Certification in Monmouth County, NJ
If you feel that the Medical Assistant career path is right for you, contact ACI Medical & Dental School today. By completing our Medical Assistant Certification Program with EKG, Phlebotomy, and Patient Care Technician certifications, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on the responsibilities of a Clinical Medical Assistant in just four months.
Classes are starting soon! To learn more about this exciting new career opportunity and take the next step towards an in-demand job in a growing industry, contact us today.
