Can a Licensed Practical Nurse Work as a Medical Assistant?

Many people who are interested in working in the medical field ask the question, “Can a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) work as a Medical Assistant?” The answer to this question is “Yes!” Licensed Practical Nurses are able to work as Medical Assistants.

The duties of a medical assistant are wide-ranging, and can include tasks such as taking vital signs, recording medical histories, scheduling appointments, and more. Many Medical Assistants also perform administrative tasks, such as billing and coding.

LPNs who wish to work as Medical Assistants may need to complete additional training or education in order to qualify for the position. However, many employers are willing to hire LPNs who have the necessary skills and experience for the job.

The Roles of a Medical Assistant

Working as a medical assistant is a great way to get started in the medical field. Medical assistants perform many of the same duties as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), but they do not need to be licensed to practice. Licensed practical nurses must complete an accredited LPN program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed. Medical assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities.

The Roles of a Licensed Practical Nurse

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a nurse who has completed a short, intensive program and has passed a national licensing exam. An LPN can work in many different settings, but most commonly works in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes

A medical assistant is a health care professional who performs routine administrative and clinical tasks in a doctor’s office or clinic. Medical assistants are not licensed or certified, but most have completed a postsecondary training program.

In most states, an LPN can perform many of the same duties as a medical assistant, but there are some important differences between the two roles. For example, an LPN may give medication to patients and start IVs, but a medical assistant cannot. In addition, LPNs may have more contact with patients than medical assistants do.

The Education and Training Required for a Medical Assistant

An aspiring medical assistant (MA) can choose to complete a certificate, diploma, or associate degree program. These programs typically take between one and two years to complete and include courses in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, and healthcare law and ethics. In addition to classroom instruction, most programs include a supervised clinical externship in which students gain hands-on experience working in a healthcare setting. Some states require MAs to be licensed or certified; requirements vary by state.

The Education and Training Required for a Licensed Practical Nurse

In order to work as a licensed practical nurse, an individual must first earn a diploma or certificate from an accredited nursing program. These programs typically take about one year to complete, although some may last up to two years. After completing an accredited program, the individual must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Once the individual has successfully passed the NCLEX-PN, he or she will be licensed to practice as a licensed practical nurse in that state.

A medical assistant may have either a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited medical assisting program. Typical programs last from six months to one year, although some may last up to two years. After completing an accredited program, the individual must then pass a certification exam, such as the Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant Exam (RMA). Once the individual has successfully passed the certification exam, he or she will be certified to work as a medical assistant in that state.

The Certification Required for a Medical Assistant

In order to work as a medical assistant, you will need to be certified. There are a few different ways to become certified, but the most common is to take a certification exam. The certification exam is offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA), and it is called the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.

The Certification Required for a Licensed Practical Nurse

Prior to discussing whether or not a licensed practical nurse can work as a medical assistant, it is important to understand the certification required for a licensed practical nurse. A licensed practical nurse, also called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in some states, is a nurse who has completed an accredited practical nursing program and has passed the NCLEX-PN national licensing exam.

In order to work as a medical assistant, one must have completed an accredited medical assistant program and have passed the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. There are no state-specific licensure requirements for medical assistants, however, some states may require certification in order to perform certain tasks, such as phlebotomy or EKGs.

While both roles are involved in patient care, there are some significant differences between the two positions. Licensed practical nurses typically have more responsibility for direct patient care than medical assistants. Medical assistants may perform certain patient care tasks under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or doctor, but they are not responsible for making independent patient care decisions. In most cases, medical assistants do not have contact with patients after hours or on weekends, whereas licensed practical nurses may be required to work evenings and weekends.

So, can a licensed practical nurse work as a medical assistant? While both roles involve patient care, the licensure requirements and scope of practice are different for each position. A licensedpractical nurse would need to complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam in order to work as a medical assistant.

The Salary of a Medical Assistant

The salary of a medical assistant can vary depending on their experience and education levels. The median salary for medical assistants in the United States is $32,480 per year, which is equivalent to $15.58 per hour. entry-level medical assistants can expect to make around $28,860 per year, while those with more experience can earn up to $36,700 per year. Medical assistants with specialized training and certifications can also earn more than the median salary.

The Salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse

The median salary for a licensed practical nurse is $47,480 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Licensed practical nurses who work in hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in doctors’ offices or nursing homes. The top 10 percent of licensed practical nurses earned more than $67,490 per year, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $33,430 per year.

Job Outlook for Medical Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses

Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) both work in the healthcare industry. They perform many of the same duties, but there are some important differences between these two jobs.

Medical assistants generally have less training than LPNs. They typically have a certificate or diploma from an accredited program, while LPNs must complete an accredited practical nursing program. Medical assistants can perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, but they cannot perform all of the tasks that LPNs can. For example, medical assistants cannot administer medications or start IVs.

The job outlook for medical assistants is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for medical assistants will grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The job outlook for LPNs is also good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for LPNs will grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Both medical assistants and LPNs are in high demand due to the aging population and the increasing need for healthcare services. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, you may want to consider becoming a medical assistant or an LPN.

Can a Licensed Practical Nurse Work as a Medical Assistant?