Differences Between Medical Assistants & CNAs Explained

1. CNAs vs. Medical Assistants: Education & Training Requirements

The education and training requirements for a medical assistant or CNA may differ from one state to the next, so it’s important to research the requirements for your state. It’s also important to know that a good training program will prepare you for a career in this field no matter where you live.

Both positions require training, but the training for both positions is relatively quick, taking months rather than years. Training can be done through a vocational school rather than a two or four-year university. These schools generally require a high school diploma to enroll, but if you do not yet have a high school diploma, there are still options to help you move forward in these fields.

While the extent of training may vary, passing a training course and becoming certified as an MA or CNA helps you stand out from other applicants and may be required by many employers. Neither of these positions is considered “licensed,” but certification is required for CNAs.

Training to become a medical assistant can take 10 Months to complete. Medical Assistant Training includes assisting with physical exams, taking patient vitals, scheduling appointments, managing medical records, administering medications, conducting electrocardiography tests, administering vaccines, and collecting blood and urine samples.

Training to become a medical assistant is usually offered through a certificate program or associate degree program. Additional certifications can make medical assistants qualified to work in certain specialties and advance their careers in different areas.

On the other hand, training to become a CNA can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. Some states offer a state-specific training program.

CNA training focuses on safety and cleanliness procedures, patient rights, infection control, and basic nursing skills like recording vitals, moving patients, and caring for basic needs.

Some States require CNAs to be certified by passing a state-specific exam before they can work as CNAs.

2. CNAs vs. Medical Assistants: Roles & Responsibilities

The education and training requirements for a medical assistant or CNA may differ from one state to the next, so it’s important to research the requirements for your state. It’s also important to know that a good training program will prepare you for a career in this field no matter where you live.

Both positions require training, but the training for both positions is relatively quick, taking months rather than years. Training can be done through a vocational school rather than a two or four-year university. These schools generally require a high school diploma to enroll, but if you do not yet have a high school diploma, there are still options to help you move forward in these fields.

While the extent of training may vary, passing a training course and becoming certified as an MA or CNA helps you stand out from other applicants and may be required by many employers. Neither of these positions is considered “licensed,” but certification is required for CNAs.

Training to become a medical assistant can take 10 Months to complete. Medical Assistant Training includes assisting with physical exams, taking patient vitals, scheduling appointments, managing medical records, administering medications, conducting electrocardiography tests, administering vaccines, and collecting blood and urine samples.

Training to become a medical assistant is usually offered through a certificate program or associate degree program. Additional certifications can make medical assistants qualified to work in certain specialties and advance their careers in different areas.

On the other hand, training to become a CNA can take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. Some states offer a state-specific training program.

CNA training focuses on safety and cleanliness procedures, patient rights, infection control, and basic nursing skills like recording vitals, moving patients, and caring for basic needs.

Some States require CNAs to be certified by passing a state-specific exam before they can work as CNAs.

3. Medical Assistants vs. Certified Nursing Assistants: Where Do They Work?

The environments that Medical Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants work in are among the greatest differences between the two positions.

Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient facilities. In this environment, patients come in for an exam or surgery and will leave on the same day. These facilities may include a private doctor’s office, medical clinic, urgent care center, hospital, chiropractor’s office, outpatient surgery center, or specialty physician’s office.

Medical assistants do not diagnose or directly treat patients, but they are part of the team helping patients find answers to their health concerns. Medical assistants work under the direct supervision of a doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.

On the other hand, Certified Nursing Assistants work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician in an inpatient care center. This may be a nursing home, assisted living facility, home healthcare, or hospital.

4. CNA vs. Medical Assistant: Length of Time For Training

Training to become a medical assistant may be performed in as few as 10 Months. The Medical Assistant Technician program at UEI College can be completed in as few as ten months, allowing you to begin a new career in the healthcare field in less than a year.

On the other hand, training to become a certified nursing assistant takes about 6 to 12 weeks and has to be approved by the state you are working in. Many CNA training programs are offered online, through technical schools, or through various medical facilities. Most states also require CNAs to pass a CNA exam to be certified for employment. This certification requires in-service training hours to be completed each year, and the certification itself needs to be renewed to remain valid.