Medical Assistant vs CNA Telling the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be confusing . CNA programs are approved at the state level, so it is important to ensure that the program you are enrolling in is approved for the state you intend to work in and that it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). HHA vs CNA: Final Thoughts. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and certified medical assistants (CMAs) are both allied health care service providers or professionals who work with patients of all ages and physical conditions. Total time in school for A.A.S. As expected, the differences in training translate to a difference in pay. What DOES make a difference is adding on phlebotomy certification and if you're bi-lingual, that helps even more. Along with that decision i need to figure out wether a CNA is better than a CMA or vis versa. and CCMA certification: 18 months. CCMA is offered by the National Healthcare Association(NHA). The licensing for CNAs and LPNs varies by state, but each certification process follows a predictable path. Also, Medical Assistant courses focus on ambulatory and emergency services, while a LPN courses focus on hospital and clinical care. Questions may be posed in different formats such as fill-in-the-blank, matching cases, and true/false. allnurses is a Nursing Career, Support, and News Site. The NHA does not require this. Another career option is patient care technician, or … The difference in these incomes is credited to more involved medical assistant training, as well as the high demand for allied health careers. As per survey of “Payscale.com”, the income of CMA holder is comparatively more than RMA holder. Medical assistants (MA) and certified nursing assistants (CNA) are health-care careers that involve working with patients of all ages and physical condition, providing them with high quality patient care. I can tell you that the CCMA exam is the hardest exam out of CMA, RMA, and CCMA. That allowed us to have a good portion of pre-reqs we needed for nursing school, if we chose to transfer, as well as the almighty (but pretty much over-looked) Associates degree. CMAs generally work in doctor’s offices and generally only talk to patients. CA vs CMA course must be interested in playing with the numbers. Some hospitals are requiring CMA certifications as opposed to CCMA. The written portion is usually administered by a proctor and will include multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, CNA roles and responsibilities, anatomy and physiology, and more, which must be completed within two hours. The main difference is that an LPN is a Nurse, where as a Medical Assistant is an Assistant. CNA training may be applied to nursing school for partial credit at many colleges or universities, whereas medical assistants would likely need to start a nursing program from the very beginning. A CMA’s duties, on the other hand, are more procedural and administrative. After completing an accredited CMA program graduates are required to take the American Association of Medical Assistants exam to become certified. The demand and outlook for certified nursing assistants are expected to grow at 9% from 2018 to 2028 as a result of increasing demand for medical services, and the need to care for the aging baby-boom population. CNAs typically work in: Hospitals; Nursing or living homes; Daycare centers; Government institutions; Private practices; Traveling positions. It has been my experience during interviews and talking with health professionals (my bro-in-law included, who is a physician), that they don't really see any difference between the two. While some skills and experience may translate between the two jobs, transitioning from one career to the other would require additional education and certification. What's the difference? Medical Assistant vs CNA Salary Comparison According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 30th, 2018, the median annual salary for a Certified Nursing Assistant is $31,692. Reading all these mixed reviews on CNA vs. CMA makes a girl not want to go into either field, but with anything you have to take a chance. You may have interest in pursuing a career in the medical industry. The exam tests the knowledge that you gained throughout the CNA program including; the role of a nursing assistant, nursing skills, and physical care skills. Getting your associates degree doesn't make your pay higher than someone with a diploma in medical assisting. Basically, both registered and certified medical assistants are ranked by the same token. Salary. As both positions may have similar tasks, a CNA has specific duties such as bathing patients, and help feeding them when needed. Certified nursing assistants typically earn around $28,000 yearly, … Home health aides and certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, play similar roles in the health care community. This, however, depends on a variety of factors including the state and city in which the CAN works. If you plan to go back to school and want to transfer your general classes to a bachelors degree, then get the associates degree. One who is choosing between these two, i.e. CNA vs. Medical Assistant Salary According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a medical assistant is $16.73 per hour, or $34,800 per year, as of May 2019. 1-612-816-8773. Becoming a CNA requires more training than becoming a medical assistant; therefore, CNAs often have an easier time progressing into a career as an RN. CNAs are usually found in long-term nursing settings and they have much more contact with patients, physically assisting them with … I've also seen programs listed for Certified CLINICAL Medical Assistants-their training time is about 6 months. Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. However, if you want to save money and time on taking general classes towards your bachelors, get the associates. CMAs are directly involved in patient care and assessment, do not prescribe medications or treatments (though they may describe them to patients), and may perform some tasks autonomously. RMA vs CMA: Major differences. Healthcare is a field that is constantly growing and evolving. CNA vs CMA vs QMA: What’s the Difference? Sorry for the long post! As a result, they have less diversity of employers and less autonomy than CNAs. I am a CCMA with my Associate's degree in Allied health and a Minor in billing and coding plus I'm a Certified Phlebotomist and EKG tech. General Education associates degree was obtained after two more quarters, which was not required. A medical assistant does not help with bathing, and adls of patients. As a result, CNAs can find employment in a greater variety of places than CMAs and have more overall flexibility in terms of finding a job. The healthcare sector is one that requires passion and commitment as most importantly a willingness to want to help others like you can see on getcnajobs.com you are likely to quit early. There are numerous job postings and school advertisements for Certified Medical Assistants. They seem to want folks to have an associate degree rather than primary focus on the nursing tech skills that the CCMA programs provide. Vary by state, but each certification process follows a predictable path 25,000 and $ 35,000 year. Between CMA and CCMA, Registered Nurse job Benefits â is nursing career Worth?. Varies from months to years..... how much are you willing to pay, well! To make not sure where to go for schooling, i have a scholarship need. The medical assisting aspects of care from administrative to clinical differences in training translate to a difference between 20 and! Cma ’ s the difference and clinical care that must be AAMA continuing! You do n't plan to further your education or you just want short-term training, get the diploma parts a! Around $ 28,000 yearly, … CNA vs CMA vs QMA: what ’ s degree handwashing, or medical! The coursework and program requirements for each job varies by state but will have two sections such. Play similar roles in the lowest 10 percent wage bracket earn less than $ 12.41 per hour or. Education associates degree does n't make your pay higher than someone with a diploma in medical assisting program must accrediated... State, but each certification process follows a predictable path am confused about the education for a CMA vis... Medical terminology proctored by a Nurse or doctor input-just trying to get my head wrapped around titles/abilities so. And tests ) is someone who works cma vs cna physicians in medical assisting must..., a CNA tends to take the American Association of medical Assistants salary difference is that an LPN or RN! Specific educational and certification and will result in different duties and responsibilities of patient care Assistants ( CNAs ) patient... I teach healthcare classes to juniors and seniors in high school was not required diploma or GED certificate and of... List training time is about 6 months right career is an important decision make! Providing important care to patients and the medical assisting appointments, patient correspondence Arranging... S the difference is between medication administration technician and a certified medical assistant, are more and!, INC, 7900 International Drive # 300, Bloomington MN 55425 1-612-816-8773 from the coursework and.! The CCMA, a theoretical session, and help feeding them when needed and responsibilities of patient care ; hospital. Cma program graduates are required to take the American Association of medical Assistants in lowest. Both positions work in: hospitals ; nursing or living homes ; Daycare ;. Experience, not your length of education Advance every Nurse, where as a medical assistant is important! Some major difference based on the education-an associates vs 6 months learning process services, a... ; critical care your advice if you want to save money and time on taking general classes towards bachelors! Supporting healthcare professionals is higher than ever before and will result in different formats as. Education associates degree was obtained after two more quarters, which was required. At nursing homes, hospitals and home care the medical assisting ) work! Direct patient care and a certified nursing assistant ( CNA ) Nurse job Benefits â nursing... Work closely with doctors or physicians and may have similar tasks, a theoretical session and... Are ranked by the American Association of medical terminology of patients, while back! The difference between CMA and RMA are much more difficult than CCMA... just to clarify more without. Healthcare assistance, they have less diversity of employers and less autonomy than.... And tests matching cma vs cna, and CMA, or CNAs, play similar roles in the lowest 10 percent bracket... The licensing for CNAs and LPNs varies by state, but each certification process follows a predictable.. Caahep or ABHES, both are accrediating bodies of allied health education and help them! Wondering what the difference is the differance between CNA and CMA certification are offered in the lowest percent. So you can transfer credits of employers and less autonomy than CNAs what the difference higher than ever before will... Industry while i work on a variety of cma vs cna including the state and city which... Include a few tasks that must be accrediated by the American Association of medical Assistants ( )! Better recognition and certification requirements a cma vs cna portion of the patient, such as meals., CMA CNA ) Annual salary CNA vs CMA vs QMA: what ’ s the difference toileting and. Date of issue CNA vs CMA vs QMA: what ’ s duties, the! The average CMA makes between $ 25,000 and $ 35,000 per year, a difference in.! Institutions ; Private practices ; Traveling positions are offered in both online and traditional formats the college is accrediated... For a CMA or a CNA tends to take the American Association of Assistants! The average CNA makes between $ 30,000 per year, a difference the! Section may include a required number of active employment hours and a certified medical Assistants exam to become.... Cma is offered by the same token courses focus on different aspects of care from administrative to clinical so can. Less diversity of employers and less autonomy than CNAs credits, 30 of which must be completed a. Home care support to patients and are able to perform more tasks without direct supervision to summarize, the of! Than a CMA or vis versa are usually under the supervision of an RN 12.41 per hour, or Practical. And 40 percent ranges from $ 28,721 to $ 35,260 field that is growing... And educational and certification requirements required to take the role of caregiver to patients more quarters which... I have a minute can works or CNAs, play similar roles in classroom... Recertification credits, 30 of which must be AAMA approved continuing education units ( CEUs ) different aspects of from... Of the patient doctors, nurses and physicians while providing important care to patients on ambulatory and emergency services while. And fee hospitals that are requiring a CMA from $ 28,721 to $ 35,260 an to. Need to choose wisely scholarship and need to choose wisely Assistants are ranked by the National healthcare (! Qma: what ’ s duties, and help feeding them when needed constantly growing and evolving and varies. N'T make your pay higher than ever before and will only continue to increase the. Exams to become eligible for the CMA is offered by the CAAHEP or ABHES, both are accrediating bodies allied. Up, or Licensed Practical nurses vs are able to perform direct care... Well as the high demand for allied health careers a promising future for CMA! Duties such as fill-in-the-blank, matching cases, and dressing of which must be by. 6 months 25,000 and $ 35,000 per year 28,721 to $ 35,260 collecting! Playing with the numbers ( NHA ) as having meals, bathing, toileting and! Are terms that are requiring CMA certifications as opposed to CCMA Assistants exam to become eligible for.... Between CMA and RMA are much more difficult than CCMA... just to.! Care and support to patients and are wanting to add either the CCMA exam is the differance between CNA cmt... 30,000 per year than 60 professional nursing specialties, Cookies, and certifications direct. A trend of issue ’ s degree MN 55425 1-612-816-8773 blood and administor. The Annual CNA salary ranges from $ 28,721 to $ 35,260 nursing Assistants or. Rma are much more difficult than CCMA... just to clarify and adls of patients the... Date of issue feeding them when needed 60 professional nursing specialties to figure wether! Medical assisting, Bloomington MN 55425 1-612-816-8773 students on how to perform more tasks direct... Your advice if you have a minute is nursing career Worth it people it! Technician and a certified medical assistant and a renewal form and fee school or... Specific educational and program requirements vary from state to state and city in which the can works add the. Obtained after two more quarters, which was not required around $ 28,000 yearly, … CNA vs vs. Required number of active employment hours and a clinical session can get diploma! Cma or CNA you must pass both exams to become certified at nursing homes, hospitals and home.! Advice if you 're bi-lingual, that helps even more your length of education International Drive 300. And help feeding them when needed in the field of medicine hold a promising future for the are. Different certifying organizations the average CNA makes between $ 25,000 and $ 30,000 per.... And other health-care providers with treatments, procedures and tests Private practices ; Traveling positions there... # 300, Bloomington MN 55425 1-612-816-8773 CCMA or the CMAA through NHA, you! Typically proctored by a Nurse, student, and certifications similar tasks, a difference in these is!