Providing patient care is one job duty shared among medical assistants and nurses. Individuals with a desire to work in healthcare may want to consider pursuing a career either as a certified medical assistant (CMA) or as a licensed practice nurse (LPN). The Importance of Holistic Nursing Care: How to Completely Care for your Patients, 5 Important Qualities to Be an Exceptional LPN. 3. There are many differences between licensed vocational nurses, or LVNs, and certified medical assistants, or CMAs. These jobs are commonly confused because of the slight overlap in job duties. For example, both take vital signs and work with medical technology. While this article has some good information I feel that you need to do more research. There are no formal educational requirements to become a medical assistant. In most states, the term licensed practical nurse, or LPN, is used instead of LVN; the two are otherwise the same in terms of education, job tasks and scope of practice. Many vocational schools offer online learning as well. However, an LPN is much more heavily involved in planning and monitoring patient care, whereas a Medical Assistant does not typically have these same duties. This is because MAs do not have licenses; instead, they work for the doctor and depend on his license, and that makes the doctor accountable for any legal actions. Medical assistants and LPN's share several of the same daily tasks, which include basic patient care under the supervision of an RN and/or physician. About a year ago I completed a CMA to LPN program at Anoka Technical College in Anoka, Minnesota. Many medical assistants work in physician’s offices or ambulatory clinics with traditional daytime hours, while LPNs more often find positions in hospitals, nursing homes and even patient’s homes working a range of hours and shifts. Degrees for an LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse, and CMA, or Certified Medical Assistant, are now a trend. 4. Medical Assistant/CMA VS LPN in Oregon. First, some online programs are based in another state, and therefore students should be familiar with their state board licensing requirements. American Medical Technologists (AMT) exam awards a medical assistant with the title of RMA (Registered Medical Assistant). Some classes, such as anatomy and physiology might be transferable, but again, that depends on the school. 2. Medical assistants, however, are not required to hold any similar licensing to begin work as a medical assistant. LPNs will likely earn lower salaries than RNs. MA vs. LPN: The basics. In short, Medical Assistants are typically the professionals who assist patients to their room… If you attain the certification for Clinical Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA), then you will be of higher value in the medical field, and this can be a plus for future employment in some states. To begin, the training for each career takes roughly one year. Medical assistants and LPN's have different licensing and certification requirements for students to be aware of. Accreditation should also be a factor- the program may be accredited locally instead of nationally. Also, MAs should be aware that online learning can limit interactions between students and faculty, which some find is critical to their education. Have you been thinking about studying to be a medical assistant (MA) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN)? Your email address will not be published. CNA's and LPN's also have different licensing and certification requirements for aspiring nurses to be aware of. lpn's/lvn's are licensed nurses and cma's have a certification, there is a big difference. Like so many other people, I was laid off due to the economy. In these cases, aspiring medical assistants need only find a physician who is willing to provide on-the-job training. CMA vs RN: Similarities, Differences, and Overlap. The salary can be influenced by a number of factors, including the employer, location, as well as the level of education and experience. LPNs can earn a certificate, and it usually can be completed faster as not many general education courses are required as with an associate’s program. Meanwhile, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) work in a more specialized field, and they are usually placed in long-term care settings, hospitals, prisons, camps, and in offices of specializing doctors. To become a CMA or a CNA you must meet the specific educational and program requirements for each job. Depending on the school, students may be able to earn a diploma in as little as nine months, or an associate’s degree in 18-24 months. CMA Training. Of them, several enter into medical assistant and licensed practical nursing (LPN) positions, fueled by the prospect of making a difference in the lives of patients. Today I discuss the differences between the duties of nurses and medical assistants! In contrast, an LPNs daily tasks provide basic patient care. Vocational schools are also an option. The LPN program offers a wider look into the human lifespan and care through the ages than many medical assistant programs do. Licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants both provide direct nursing care. Some of these administrative duties may include: Both medical assistants and LPN's are extremely valued members of the medical care team, providing critical support to ensure patients receive high quality and efficient care. How Long is an LPN Program if Courses Can be Transferred? How Does a Medical Assistant Become an LPN? November 5, 2019 . However, MAs exploring LPN programs should keep a few things in mind. For instance, a medical assistant or LPN may earn a higher than average salary if he or she works in a location with a higher cost of living and/or has several years of work exper… If you decide to become a Medical Assistant, you need to have people skills since you will be greeting patients and placing them in their respective rooms. In most cases, however, employers seek medical assistants who have completed a formal training program. Students can often choose from online programs, traditional in-person classroom programs or a combination of the two. Because of their clinical experience as a medical assistant, they will likely be successful in their LPN program. MA and nurses are both responsible for preventing the spread of infection and illness by providing patients with a clean environment where they receive their care. LPNs, on the other hand, made $44,840 per year. They do this through taking blood pressure and temperature, administering medication, and performing certain procedures. Take a closer look at each position to help you determine whether you’re better suited to become a medical assistant (MA) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Medical Assistants are trained to draw blood, while LPNs administer medication, provide wound care, change dressings, perform catheterizations and collaborate with the health care team to develop a plan of care. For instance, a medical assistant or LPN may earn a higher than average salary if he or she works in a location with a higher cost of living and/or has several years of work experience. There are also online or hybrid options available. In some cases, individuals may begin a career as a medical assistant with only a high school diploma and no additional education or training required. The "mobility" or "pathway" program from CMA to LPN met all the MN state board of nursing required boardabilities and 6 of us sat for the boards and passed on our first try. There are several options for MAs who wish to enter an LPN program. These careers do not require the same sacrifice of time and finances as a medical degree. Many community colleges and technical schools offer medical assistant training programs, which generally take one to two years to complete. Medical Assistant vs. LPN Salary As of May 2016, the mean annual salary for medical assistants was $32,850, according to the data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Also, Medical Assistant courses focus on ambulatory and emergency services, while a LPN courses focus on hospital and clinical care. Another key difference is that Medical Assistants work with patients under the direction for a Doctor and … If you were like me, being a child growing up in the 90's and early 2000's, you probably had, Medical Assistant vs. LPN Licensing & Certification. Both programs require participants to pass the examinations after graduation. Some MAs hope to become licensed and focus on more clinical patient care and explore becoming LPNs. Students earn a more well-rounded education in degree programs. We are no longer required to have a provider as a “co-signer” on our licenses, thus every time we change jobs we do not have to get a new license. Which of the two do you think is better and what differences do both have?  You will also be in charge of recording the patient’s vital signs and preparing them for their exams. CNA vs. LPN Licensing & Certification. CNA vs CMA vs QMA: What’s the Difference? MAs work for doctors using their licenses, which also mean that the doctors will be held responsible for any legal actions faced by the MAs. Healthcare is a field that is constantly growing and evolving. ( link: http://www.pokemongo.com/en-us/ ) Since the game has been released, it has boomed into one of the most talked about subjects online. MAs work under a provider's license- physicians, NPs, or PAs. Others may look into online or hybrid programs. Perhaps you even feel called to do so, and you've made the decision to change your life's course and get a solid education that may take you to that next step. MAs and LPNs have more or less the same salary, but everything depends on the area where you are practicing. Once you enter the job field, some of the job responsibilities will the same. As you can probably guess, This was a difficult one to make! Learn more about LPN classes, courses and curriculum. For this reason, MAs should be cautious when searching online for “MA to LPN bridge programs”- they may not meet educational standards for their state. Usually the work schedule is placed in the daytime since the work involves staying in a doctor’s office or that sort of setting. When embarking on a career in the nursing field, many students may not be aware of the differences between medical assistant and licensed practical nurse (LPN). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), Collecting patient’s symptoms and medical information, Administering medication and vaccinations, Collecting samples (e.g., blood, urine, etc.). What Is the Difference Between a CNA and an LPN? Are There Any Medical Assistant to LPN Bridge Programs? How to become a Medical Assistant. This time frame is shortened if courses from an MA program can be transferred. Under the supervision of an RN, the LPN also performs the following job duties: Alternatively, medical assistants generally perform administrative tasks to ensure the efficient and smooth running of physician’s office or clinic, in addition to the basic patient care tasks mentioned above. LPNs Vs. CNAs. Education Requirements for LPNs and Medical Assistants This is over $10,000 higher than the average salary for medical assistants, which hovered around $29,370 in 2012. Some may attend an LPN program at a community college or technical school. Hi everyone, First of all, thank you for reading this! Medical Assistant vs Licensed Nurse (LPN/LVN) Jump to Section. Medical Assistants can practice in various medical specializations, and they are likely to find some interesting work in their field. Doctor’s offices tend to make use of these medical personnel more since they are paid less compared to Licensed Vocational Nurses or Registered Nurses. 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