The Difference Between Medical Assistants and Nursing Assistants

Discover the key differences between Medical assistants and nursing assistants. Explore the training, job duties and certification requirements to see which career is right for you.

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Job responsibilities

Medical Assistants and nursing assistants are both healthcare support occupations. They work under the supervision of licensed health professionals and perform many of the same duties, but there are some important differences between the two.

Medical assistants typically have more clerical duties, such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, billing and coding insurance forms. They may also be responsible for taking medical histories and performing basic lab tests, but they do not provide direct patient care.

Nursing assistants, on the other hand, have more direct contact with patients. They provide basic bedside care, such as bathing and feeding patients, helping them to ambulate (get out of bed and walk), and taking vital signs. Nursing assistants may also provide emotional support to patients and their families.

Education and training

Medical assistants and nursing assistants both provide basic patient care under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. Nursing assistants, also called nurse aides, generally have more responsibility and independence than medical assistants, who typically work more closely with physicians. Both occupations require a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of accredited training programs, but nursing assistants must also pass a state-approved certification exam. Medical assistants typically have more responsibilities related to administrative tasks, such as billing and coding, scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records Nursing assistants are responsible for more direct patient care tasks, such as bathing, dressing and feeding patients, checking their vital signs and taking their samples for laboratory testing.

Certification

There are a few key ways in which medical assistants and nursing assistants differ, the most important being certification. Nursing assistants must be certified in order to work in most states, while medical assistants are not required to be certified. Nursing assistants must complete an accredited program and pass a state-approved exam, while medical assistants are not required to do either of these things. In some states, medical assistants may be required to complete a brief training program and pass an exam, but this is not always the case.

Salary

Nursing assistants typically earn more than medical assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nursing assistants was $28,540 in 2018, while medical assistants earned a median salary of $33,610.

Growth potential

Medical assistants and nursing assistants are two of the most important positions in the medical field. Both provide vital support to doctors and nurses, and both have the potential to grow into larger roles within the medical field. However, there are some key differences between these two positions.

Medical assistants generally have more clinical responsibilities than nursing assistants. They may take patients’ histories, administer medications, and assist with diagnostic procedures. Nursing assistants, on the other hand, generally have more hands-on duties, such as providing personal care to patients and helping them with daily activities.

Both medical assistants and nursing assistants can find employment in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and private practices. However, nursing assistants may have more opportunities to work in specialized settings, such as hospices or rehabilitation centers.

The growth potential for medical assistants and nursing assistant is strong. Both professions are expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years. Medical assistants may have better job prospects due to their greater range of responsibilities. Nursing assistants who specialize in a particular area may also have good job prospects.

Work environment

Medical assistants typically work in outpatient facilities, such as clinics and physician offices, while nursing assistants usually work in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Although both types of providers work under the direction of licensed medical professionals, their scope of practice differs. Medical assistants are trained to perform administrative and clinical tasks, while nursing assistants are trained in basic patient care.

Patient interaction

One of the main duties of a medical assistant is to interact with patients. This may include greeting them when they come into the office, answering questions about their health insurance or copayments, and scheduling appointments. Medical assistants also take patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature. They may also prepare patients for examinations and collect blood and urine samples.

Nursing assistants typically have more direct patient care duties than medical assistants. Nursing assistants usually work in hospitals or long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Their duties may include bathing, dressing, and feeding patients; taking their vital signs; and providing emotional support. Nursing assistants may also help with limited medical tasks, such as checking blood sugar levels or inserting catheters.

Supervision

Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Supervision

In general, medical assistants are less closely supervised than nursing assistants. Medical assistants usually work in physicians’ offices, clinics, and other outpatient care facilities. They often have more contact with patients than nursing assistants do and may perform a variety of tasks, such as measuring vital signs, giving injections, and aiding in minor surgical procedures. If a medical assistant is working in a physician’s office, he or she may be responsible for handling billing and insurance paperwork.

Nursing assistants, on the other hand, work primarily in hospitals and nursing homes. They provide basic patient care under the supervision of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. Nursing assistants may also be responsible for taking patients’ vital signs and checking their blood pressure. In some states, nursing assistants may be allowed to give medications to patients.

Schedule

There is a big difference between the schedules of medical assistants and nursing assistants. Medical assistants usually work during regular business hours, while nursing assistants often work nights and weekends. This is because medical assistants typically work in clinics and doctor’s offices, while nursing assistants often work in hospitals.

Job satisfaction

In the medical field, there are a number of positions that are vital to the day-to-day operations of a hospital or clinic. Two of these positions are that of the medical assistant and the nursing assistant. Though both jobs are important, there are some key differences between the two that you should know about before deciding which path is right for you.

The first difference between medical assistants and nursing assistants is job satisfaction. According to a recent survey, medical assistants are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs than nursing assistants. This is likely due to the fact that medical assistants have more autonomy and freedom in their work than nursing assistants. Nursing assistants, on the other hand, often report feeling overworked and underpaid.

The second difference between these two positions is job duties. Medical assistants generally have more clerical duties than nursing assistants. This means that they spend more time on tasks like scheduling appointments, filing paperwork, and answering phones. Nursing assistants, on the other hand, have more direct patient care duties. This includes tasks like bathing and dressing patients, taking vital signs, and providing emotional support.

If you’re considering a career in the medical field, it’s important to weigh your options carefully before making a decision. Both medical assistants and nursing assistants play vital roles in keeping healthcare facilities running smoothly. However, only you can decide which position is right for you based on your individual skillset and goals.