If you’re interested in working in the healthcare industry but aren’t exactly sure which career to pursue, it helps to understand your options and the different job duties. Two common positions are medical assistants and certified nurse assistants (CNAs), which are both essential healthcare professionals who interact with patients. However, there are some main differences between the two career paths.
At Prism Career Institute, aspiring healthcare professionals can access healthcare training programs, including a medical assistant program, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Here, we discuss a medical assistant vs. a CNA career and the differences between them.
Job Titles and Duties
One of the main differences between medical assistants and certified nursing assistants is the scope of their job duties. Medical assistants complete both clinical and administrative duties as part of their daily responsibilities, while CNAs perform clinical duties but not administrative ones. Some of the typical job duties that each performs include:
Medical Assistants
A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, like a doctor or physician assistant. Medical assistants are trained to complete clinical and administrative job duties, but most focus on one or the other, although some provide both. Their job duties can vary by work environment, location, and experience, but they often include responsibilities like:
- Interviewing patients and recording their medical history
- Taking patients’ vital signs
- Drawing blood or giving injections
- Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
- Assisting with diagnostic tests
- Updating and filing medical records
- Filling out insurance forms and processing claims
- Scheduling appointments and procedures
CNAs
Certified nursing assistants are entry-level healthcare workers who perform duties under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or practical nurse (PN). Rather than completing some administrative duties like medical assistants do, CNAs work directly with patients providing care and assistance. Some of their typical job duties include:
- Answering calls from patients and helping them stay comfortable
- Checking and monitoring patients’ vital signs
- Cleaning medical supplies and equipment
- Communicating patients’ questions and concerns to nurses
- Assisting in dressing, bathing, and grooming patients
- Ensuring that safety protocols and procedures are carried out properly
- Following patient privacy rules and applying professional ethics
- Gathering and stocking medical supplies
- Attending to patient hygiene to ensure they stay clean
- Moving and transporting patients in and out of beds or into wheelchairs
Education Requirements
Another difference between medical assistants and CNAs is the education and certification they need. Neither medical assistants nor CNAs require a four-year degree or higher to become employed, but they do generally require completion of a training program, a certification, and on-the-job training. Their paths are somewhat similar, but have some differences:
Medical Assistants
To become a medical assistant, postsecondary education is often required, either through a training program or an associate degree. The education and certification requirements vary by state, but some states require that medical assistants graduate from an accredited program, be licensed or certified, or complete other prerequisites to practice. Many employers prefer or require that medical assistants are certified, which they can pursue from a range of organizations, such as the American Association of Medical Assistants and the National Healthcareer Association.
The Medical Assistant program at Prism Career Institute is an example of a postsecondary training program that prepares aspiring medical assistants to work in the healthcare industry.
CNAs
To become a CNA, you must complete a state-approved education program. It is also typically required to earn a state-issued license or certification by passing a competency exam, although specific requirements vary by state. CNA programs can be found in community colleges, technical schools, etc., and often include clinical practice in healthcare settings.
Work Environments
The work environments of medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are somewhat similar but also have some differences. Medical assistants most often work in doctor’s offices, but they can also work in other healthcare settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical centers, nursing homes, and even in research settings.
CNAs most often work in hospitals, but they also can work in other settings where patients receive long-term care or need assistance with daily living activities. These settings include nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, hospices, and even in-home health care.
Job Outlooks
Medical assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants both have positive job outlooks, but medical assistants have more favorable job growth than CNAs. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 15% through 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. There are expected to be around 119,800 job openings each year, on average, over the decade.
The BLS states that the overall employment of nursing assistants is projected to grow 4% from through 2033, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. There will be around 216,200 openings for nursing assistants projected each year over the decade, on average.
Both medical assistants and CNAs will continue to be necessary in the healthcare field as the baby-boom population ages and requires a workforce to provide medical care.
Explore the Medical Assistant Program at Prism Career Institute
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant, the medical assistant program at Prism Career Institute is a great place to start. This program features a well-rounded curriculum with courses designed to teach direct patient care and basic administrative tasks. Students in the Medical Assistant program must complete a 150-hour externship, where they work and learn under the guidance of a healthcare professional. This externship lets students gain real-world experience and get hands-on training in the industry.
This program is available in both daytime and evening options in a hybrid delivery to accommodate busy schedules. Both the day and night programs include 720 total hours over 40 instructional weeks. The daytime program is offered at all three of our campuses, while the evening program is offered at the Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City campuses in New Jersey.
Along with an in-depth curriculum that prepares aspiring medical assistants for their careers, students in this program also benefit from individualized attention in small classroom environments, dedicated instructors, competitive tuition rates, and financial aid opportunities for those who qualify. If you’re wondering if enrolling in this program is right for you, take our free healthcare career quiz to gain more insight. You can also explore our Practical Nursing program to see if that program is better for your career goals.
Explore Healthcare Training Programs at Prism Career Institute
Now that you understand the differences between a medical assistant vs. a CNA career path, you can enroll in the right program for your desired career. If you think a medical assistant career is right for you, apply to the program at Prism Career Institute and get started on your journey. Available at our campuses in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ, this program can provide a solid foundation for your healthcare career. For more information on the program or its requirements, contact us today.