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Nursing assistants and medical assistants both play important roles in providing top-notch care to patients in many different medical settings. While these roles have much in common, the jobs are quite distinct from each other. Read on for all you need to know about the key differences between nursing assistants and medical assistants!
What is a Nursing Assistant?
Nursing assistants are trained professionals who work under the guidance of a licensed nurse. They provide important support to medical professional teams in a variety of settings, especially nursing homes and hospitals. A certified nursing assistant (CNA) has completed a state-approved training program and must pass a licensing certification exam.
The job of a nursing assistant can be both very challenging and very rewarding. Nursing assistants help patients with bathing and feeding while supporting nurses by taking vital signs and delivering medication. The job requires training, but since it is a very hands-on job, it also demands a high degree of empathy.
Doctors, nurses and patients rely on nursing assistants every day. This position is a vital part of the health care network that will care for patients and help them achieve optimum outcomes. Nursing assistants provide an integral aspect of successful health care.
What is a Medical Assistant?
Like nursing assistants, a medical assistant provides health care services to patients while also assisting doctors and nurses with caring for patients. They may greet patients, explain procedures, and take vital signs to alleviate the workload of licensed nurses. They can also be called upon to administer certain procedures and even draw blood for testing.
However, in contrast to a nursing assistant, a medical assistant also takes on administrative duties in the medical setting. In addition to patient-facing duties, medical assistants will also help with tasks like arranging schedules, answering phone calls from patients, and ensuring that the office is stocked with necessary supplies.
Career Options for Nursing Assistants vs. Medical Assistants
You’ll find job openings for nursing assistants and medical assistants in many different healthcare settings, from doctors’ offices to clinics to hospitals. A large number of nursing assistants work in rehabilitation or retirement facilities, while medical assistants most often can be found in physicians’ offices and outpatient centers.
Roles and Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of a nursing assistant involve direct patient care. These include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLS) like bathing, eating, and mobility help. Nursing assistants directly support licensed nurses, so they may also take vital signs, deliver medications, and change bed linens. Since nursing assistants interact with patients for the bulk of their responsibilities, it is important for them to have excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence, and physical stamina.
Medical assistants also fulfill patient-centered tasks like taking vital signs and preparing patients and exam rooms for procedures. In addition to these duties, medical assistants also take on administrative tasks. For this reason, people in medical assistant jobs often need to possess a high degree of organizational and analytical skills.
Educational Requirements
College degrees are not required for either nursing assistants or medical assistants, and both can learn much of their roles through on-the-job training. However, completing an accredited training program will help in the job search and in attaining a higher salary. An internship in a medical setting is also highly recommended for either role.
Both jobs do offer the chance to specialize or become certified. These roles require state or national certification exams and you may also need to complete an associates degree as well.
Pay and Career Advancements
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for both medical assistants and nursing assistants is booming. Due to the aging population in the US and Canada, both roles will be in high demand for the foreseeable future. While both jobs can be fulfilling on their own, they may also be stepping stones on a larger career path.
If you are interested in a career as a nurse, starting as a nursing assistant can help. The role provides hands-on experience in a healthcare setting, giving you the opportunity to learn how to handle challenging situations and whether the job is right for you. Nursing assistants can expect a median salary of $29,640 annually.
On the other hand, the medical assistant role might offer more flexibility in career options. With medical assistant experience, you can also follow a nursing career path. However, you could also move on to management or leadership roles in a clinic or hospital administration. In 2019, the median salary for a medical assistant was $34,800.
A Day in the Life: Nursing Assistant vs. Medical Assistant
As we have mentioned, these two jobs do have a lot in common as far as requirements and responsibilities. However, the day-to-day shifts will look very different. What does a day in the life look like for each?
A Day in the Life of a Nursing Assistant
The nursing assistant’s day will begin with an assignment from the previous shift nursing assistant or the head nurse. You will be given a list of patients and what their needs are. Your shift will be fast-paced and can include dozens of different patient interactions and tasks.
Most of your day will be spent with patients, providing the care as directed by the licensed nurse and responding to patient calls. You will make your rounds between patients, taking vital signs, monitoring intake and output, and assisting patients with daily needs. A nursing assistant also helps change bed linens and keep patient or exam rooms clean.
A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistant
As a medical assistant, your day may begin behind a desk, organizing schedules and checking and responding to patient communications. You can have a long list of administrative tasks before you see any patients, including maintaining client records and office inventory.
Medical assistants will also be called upon to help during patient visits, especially in physicians’ offices. MAs help prepare patients by greeting them, guiding them to exam rooms, and taking vital signs. An MA might also assist medical professionals by sterilizing and handing tools, cleaning wounds and applying bandages, or even taking blood or urine samples. The medical assistant job will be a mix of patient-facing and administrative tasks.
How to Become a Nursing Assistant
If you have your high school diploma, you can apply for jobs as a nursing assistant. If you’re interested in becoming a CNA, you will need to complete an accredited certification program and pass your state’s exam. Take a look at the Osmosis Guide to Becoming a Nursing Assistant!
How to Become a Medical Assistant
LIke nursing assistants, medical assistants can start working with just a high school diploma. However, further medical assistant training or certification is highly recommended. Not only will the extra training help prepare you for the job, it will also give you a leg up during your job search and for your salary expectation.
Osmosis Can Help
Looking for more information on becoming a nursing assistant or medical assistant? We’ve got you covered with these in-depth articles and guides.
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