What exactly are Differences between Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants?

Nursing assistants as well as medical assistants work in same healthcare options and carry out similar responsibilities. But their level of training and their requirements for licensure or certification are different. CNAs tend to provide bedside nursing care exactly where as medical assistants are more involved in procedural and administrative responsibilities.



Certified Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants are similar to one another in a few elements. Both of them carry out specialised healthcare responsibilities. They both understand The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA),Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations (JCAHO) laws.



CNAs generally assist RNs and LPNs to provide nursing care to patients. They hold responsibilities like changing bed linens, serving meals and assisting patients to transport. Additionally they measure and file patient's important indicators. Medical assistants may take important indicators but they generally don't carry out patient hygiene duties. Usually they assist doctors throughout healthcare examinations as well as clarify procedures to patients. Additionally they need to sterilize instruments, prepare medications, change dressings of wounds, take electrocardiograms etc. Medical assistants complete patient healthcare information and educate patients how to take care of themselves in addition to scheduling patients, controlling billing and finishing other administrative responsibilities.



CNAs can acquire license only after finishing an accredited nursing assistant certification program from the best CNA training schools and passing the state exam. They've to pass both written and practical skills exam in order to get a online CNA certification. But formal training for medical assistants is not essential. Usually, they get training on the job but they should have high school diploma. These assistants who're trained on the job generally spend their first few months attending training periods and working carefully with more experienced.



The wage for a certified nursing assistant begins at $24,960 to $33,280 even though some Certified Nursing Assistants make as much as $92,000 per year. Medical assistants generally make about $46,000 per year.