Why Does a CNA Get Paid More Than a Medical Assistant?

Why Does a CNA Get Paid More Than a Medical Assistant?

CNA’s provide basic nursing care to patients while Medical assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative tasks. Although both jobs are important, CNA’s generally receive higher pay due to the nature of their work.

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Job Description

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Medical Assistants are both integral members of any healthcare team. Though their job responsibilities overlap in many ways, there are some important differences between the two positions. In general, CNAs tend to have more responsibility for direct patient care, while medical assistants are responsible for more administrative tasks. For this reason, CNAs typically earn higher salaries than medical assistants.

Salary

The median annual salary for a medical assistant is $30,590, while a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can expect to earn $28,540 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).However, there are several reasons why a CNA might earn more money than a medical assistant

One reason is that CNAs are in higher demand than medical assistants. The BLS projects that the number of jobs for CNAs will grow 11% between 2019 and 2029, while the number of jobs for medical assistants will grow only 5%. This difference is due largely to the aging of the Baby Boomer generation and the resulting increase in the need for long-term care services.

Another reason why CNAs earn more than medical assistants is that they typically have more responsibilities. In many cases, CNAs perform tasks that are similar to those of medical assistants, such as taking patients’ vital signs and helping them bathe and dress. However, CNAs also often provide emotional support to patients and their families and act as a liaison between patients and nurses. Because they have more responsibility, CNAs typically receive more training than medical assistants; most programs take about six weeks to complete, while most medical assistant programs can be finished in just a few months.

Finally, CNAs typically work in settings that pay better than those in which medical assistants work. For example, CNAs who work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically earn more than those who work in doctors’ offices and clinics. This is because nursing homes and assisted living facilities are generally willing to pay more for employees who have direct contact with residents and their families.

Training and Education

The average salary for a CNA is $28,454 per year, while the average salary for a medical assistant is $30,780 per year. The main reason why CNAs earn more than medical assistants is because they require more training and education. In order to become a CNA, an individual must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They must then complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Medical assistants, on the other hand, only need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. While some medical assistants may choose to complete an accredited program, it is not required.

Job Outlook

A medical assistant is paid less than a certified nursing assistant because of job outlook. With the aging population, there is an increased demand for health care services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of CNAs will grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In contrast, the Bureau of LaborStatistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow only 19 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is much slower than the average for all occupations.

Pros and Cons

The starting pay for a certified nursing assistant is usually higher than that of a medical assistant. This is because CNAs have more responsibility than medical assistants. They are responsible for the well-being of their patients and must be able to perform CPR and other lifesaving techniques if necessary.

Medical assistants, on the other hand, do not have the same level of responsibility. They are not responsible for the well-being of their patients.Their main duties include taking medical histories, scheduling appointments, and performing basic laboratory tests.

So, while CNAs do get paid more than medical assistants, they also have more responsibility.

CNA vs. MA

In most cases, a certified nurse assistant (CNA) will get paid more than a medical assistant (MA). CNAs typically have more responsibility than an MA, as well as more training and certification. In some cases, an MA may have a higher salary if they have specialized training or if they work in a larger facility.

CNA Duties

A CNA’s duties are much wider in scope than a medical assistant’s. They not only take blood pressures and temperatures, but they also dress wounds, apply compresses, and check urine specimens. They help patients with bathing, eating and going to the bathroom. They turn and position bedridden patients to prevent bedsores, and help them walk. They also keep track of patients’ fluid intake and output. All of these duties are important, but they are not as technical as those performed by medical assistants.

MA Duties

Medical assistants perform a variety of basic patient care and office duties. They may take patient medical histories and vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist physicians during exams, give medications and injections under the supervision of a physician, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admissions and laboratory services, handle correspondence, bill patients, code and fill out insurance forms.

CNA Skills

One of the reasons that certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are paid more than medical assistants is because of the skills they bring to the job. While both roles involve providing care to patients, CNAs have a more specific set of skills that are essential to the role. These skills include:

– Providing basic nursing care
– Assisting patients with activities of daily living
– Measuring and recording vital signs
– Administering medications
– Communicating with patients and families
– providing emotional support.

In addition to these specific skills, CNAs also need to be able to work well under pressure, be detail oriented, and have excellent communication skills. These qualities are essential in providing quality patient care.

MA Skills

While both medical assistants (MAs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide essential patient care services, CNAs typically have more responsibilities and training than MAs. As a result, CNAs typically earn higher salaries than MAs.