What’s the Difference Between a Certified Medical Assistant and an LPN?

You may be wondering what the difference is between a Certified medical assistant (CMA) and an LPN. Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between the two positions.

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job duties

The duties of a certified medical assistant (CMA) and a licensed practical nurse (LPN) differ in scope and depth of care. CMAs provide basic patient care and administrative support under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse. LPNs, on the other hand, have more responsibility for direct patient care, including administering medications and treatments, monitoring patients’ vital signs, and providing nursing care.

Both CMAs and LPNs work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The duties of a CMA may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs; assisting with examinations; preparing patients for X-rays and laboratory tests; scheduling appointments; handling insurance paperwork; answering phones; greeting patients; stocking exam rooms; updating patient files; transcribing physicians’ orders; and handling billing. The duties of an LPN may include all of the above, plus providing direct patient care such as bathing and dressing patients, giving baths, collecting specimens, applying dressings and compresses, giving massages and performing range-of-motion exercises, providingperitoneal dialysis treatments, checking blood sugar levels, administering injections and mouthcare, changing cathetersand collecting urine samples.

education and training

The main difference between certified Medical assistants (CMAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is in their education and training. CMAs usually have completed a postsecondary medical assisting program, whereas LPNs have completed a practical nursing program. Both programs typically take about a year to complete, but LPN programs may be longer.

CMAs are trained to perform administrative tasks as well as clinical tasks, such as taking medical histories and measuring patients’ vital signs. They may also assist with examinations and procedures. LPNs are primarily responsible for providing direct patient care, such as checking vital signs and changing dressings. They may also give medication and provide emotional support to patients and their families.

work environment

Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work in similar settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. Both roles may include providing basic patient care, taking vital signs, and maintaining medical records However, there are some key differences between these positions.

Medical assistants typically have less responsibility than LPNs. LPNs may administer medication and start intravenous (IV) fluids, whereas medical assistants generally cannot. LPNs also often have more opportunities to interact with patients than medical assistants do.

Certified medical assistants usually have completed a postsecondary educational program while licensure is required to practice as an LPN. Certified medical assistants typically have less responsibility than licensed practical nurses. Licensed practical nurses may administer medications and start intravenous fluids, whereas certified medical assistants generally cannot. Licensed practical nurses also often have more opportunities to interact with patients than certified medical assistants do.

salary and job outlook

Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are both health care professionals who provide basic patient care under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse. Although their job responsibilities overlap in some areas, there are also important differences between these two positions.

Medical assistants typically have more general duties, such as taking patients’ vital signs, recording medical histories and scheduling appointments. LPNs usually have more specific responsibilities, such as giving injections, monitoring patients’ vital signs and providing personal care to patients.

Salary is another key difference between medical assistants and LPNs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018, while the median annual salary for LPNs was $45,030. Job growth projections also differ between these two positions. The BLS predicts that employment for medical assistants will grow by 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, while employment for LPNs is only projected to grow by 12 percent during that same time period.

career paths

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options for a health care career or you’re trying to decide which route to take, you may be wondering what the differences are between a certified medical assistant and an LPN. Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences between these two career paths.

LPNs, or licensed practical nurses, are registered nurses who have completed a shorter educational program and have less clinical experience than RNs. LPNs typically work under the supervision of an RN or physician and provide basic nursing care, such as taking vital signs and administering medications.

Medical assistants, on the other hand, are unlicensed health care professionals who perform both clinical and administrative tasks in a medical office or clinic. Medical assistants may take vital signs, administer injections and medications, prepare patients for exams, collect lab specimens, and perform basic laboratory tests. They also handle administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, documenting patient medical histories, and billing insurance companies.

similarities

There are many similarities between certified medical assistants (CMAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Both CMAs and LPNs work under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse to provide patient care. Both CMAs and LPNs may take patient vital signs, prepare patients for examination, assist with patient treatments and procedures, give injections, collect lab specimens, provide wound care, and educate patients about their condition. The main difference between CMAs and LPNs is the scope of their practice.

differences

There are several key ways in which certified medical assistants (CMAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) differ. For one, CMAs must complete an accredited medical assisting program, while LPNs must complete an accredited practical nursing program.

Additionally, CMAs are registered with the American Association of Medical Assistants and must adhere to the organization’s ethical standards, while LPNs are licensed by their state’s board of nursing. Furthermore, CMAs can perform a wider range of tasks than LPNs, such as administer injections and take X-rays, while LPNs are generally limited to tasks such as taking vital signs and providing basic patient care.

pros and cons

The roles of medical assistants and licensed practical nurses are both important in providing quality patient care. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each profession to help you decide which is right for you.

Medical assistants usually have less formal training than licensed practical nurses. Medical assistants typically have a certificate or associate degree from an accredited program, while licensed practical nurses must have a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Medical assistants generally have more limited clinical responsibilities than licensed practical nurses. Medical assistants typically perform administrative and clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining Medical records and billing insurance companies. They may also take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for examination, and assist the physician during the exam. Licensed practical nurses provide direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse. They may give medication, change dressings, monitor vital signs, and provide emotional support to patients and their families.

Because they have less training than licensed practical nurses, medical assistants generally earn lower salaries. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610 in 2017, while the median annual salary for licensed practical nurses was $45,030.

which is right for you?

The biggest difference between a certified medical assistant (CMA) and a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is the level of education and training required.

A CMA must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although many have completed postsecondary education, and must pass a certification exam. An LPN must have a license, which requires completing an accredited practical nursing program and passing a national licensing exam.

CMAs typically work in doctors’ offices, clinics, and other outpatient healthcare settings. They may also work in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Their duties include taking patients’ vital signs, recording medical histories, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with minor medical procedures, giving injections, teaching patients about self-care after discharge from the hospital, and performing administrative tasks.

LPNs usually work in hospitals, but they may also work in doctors’ offices, nursing homes Home Health Care services, or public health agencies. Their duties include taking patients’ vital signs; recording medical histories; providing basic patient care; giving injections; changing dressings; and providing emotional support to patients and their families.

So which is right for you? If you want to work in a healthcare setting but don’t want to commit to years of schooling, then becoming a CMA might be the way to go. If you’re interested in patient care but want more responsibility than a CMA typically has, then becoming an LPN might be the better option.

conclusion

In conclusion, there are several key differences between a certified medical assistant and an LPN. Medical assistants generally have less training and fewer responsibilities than LPNs. LPNs, on the other hand, have more training and are responsible for providing more direct patient care.