difference between CNA and CMA or is it thesame?

A CMA will work in a doctor's office. She/He will take blood pressure; and if trained as a phlebotomist they can take blood. They can also do clerical/administrative work. So they do clinical and administrative work. They can work in urgent care centers, physician offices, and sometimes in hospitals, it depends state by state.
A CNA takes a state exam and once she/he passes they can work in a home health care facility, hospital, or physician's office, etc. The CNA will do clinicals and if they train as a phlebotomist they can take blood. Physician offices like to hire CNAs as medical assistants in their offices, so that they can have someone that is licensed and also hopefully can do some administrative work. Hope this helps a bit.

Have you looked at all the medical assistant forums on Indeed? What is your opinion and thoughts about all the posts from those that are not finding a job?
Another good website is "Advanced Medical Assistant". You can find out on AMA how much different the duties are that CNAs do,some of the posts have a list of them. CNAs are taught more direct patient care and can work in hospitals. Most MAs can't,not as a medical assistant,in a lot of areas. That is one of the reasons it is easier to find a job as a CNA. You will see a lot of ads for them in the paper compared to help wanted ads for medical assisting.

You know you have a point there. Whenever I look at those "help wanted ads" section in the sunday paper I dont really see anything for a medical assistant. But we live in Virginia and there is quite a few demands here for MA's. Plus, the school that Im planning on going to helps new graduates look for a job. I will look into other websites before I really decide which one to get into because when I do decide to go back to school I wouldnt want to waste my time and money on a program that I will take and end up having a hard time finding a job for. Thanks so much!

Difference between medical assistant and a nurse? Which one is higher up? (The Boss)?

Nurses HAVE to be licensed,which MAs are nowhere near to being.

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: but dont MA's have certificates and even Associates Degrees?

Please do your research. Registered Nurses definitely have higher education levels and skill sets than Medical Assistants.

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: thanks a lot! this really helps. Sounds to me though that are very similar. I am planning on taking medical assistance, not sure if they will teach us to draw blood and all that good stuff, but this really interests me. thanks again!

Hi
I am a Medical Assitant and yes they do teach you how to draw blood. a CNA does more personal (bedside) care usually in a nursing home. A CMA works with doctors.

thanks for this reply. this helps a lot.

I am CNA Certified Nursing Assistant and a CMA Certified Medical Assistant the all states are different when it come to average salaries for both. other differnces are CNA Program average 4 mos.are state certified they are mostly bedside personal pt care (bathing,changing pt.clothes, help w/feeding) in nursing homes and in hospitals,or if your fortunate private home care MD offices rarely hire CNAs they are not taught phlebotomy,how to run labs,how to file insurance, billing,medical transcription and are usually paid several thousand less per year. I worked 2 months as CNA in nursing home for $8hr never did it again
CMA program 1 yr is a national certification, they are taught wide range of skills basically every position in a medical office depending on what you prefer
clinical, front office, manager,billing specialist, medical records. CMA for 7 yrs @ MD started $9 left making $15 make $16 3 yrs I've work @ private co. setting up respiratory equipment in pts. homes drive company car. Hospital for some reason do not use CMA much they prefer CNA its the NURSE word but this is the norm for SC your state may be different in some ways

I am a CNA. I work at a nursing home and i do bed side care and i take blood pressures, weights pulses, ect. We have CMAs at our establishment and they are called med techs. they do everything a cna does but also hand out med. it differs place to place.

I'm about to start school to be a CNA and I'm stressing over it so badly because I want to find a good job in a physicians office. I'm scared that I won't be able to find one and I'll be stuck in a nursing home. My cousin is a CNA and she has a job at a Dermatology office. So maybe I will get lucky. So it's tru Physicians offices will hire CNA's?

I went to school for CMA, I graduated in less than 2 years (had some classes from previous schooling that transferred), received an Associate Degree, took my certification exam and passed it, therefore also received my Certification as a medical assistant. Was told that if I took the exam it would open the doors to my career opportunity. (was told this by the school). 2 years later, I am NOT working as a CMA. Have had a very difficult time even finding work as a CMA. Was let go from a great dr. office because I did the clinical work GREAT, but I was mediocre with with the administrative side (i'm not fond of the front office part). Anyway, needed a job desperatley (got kids to feed) and got hired on at a nursing home making nearly $3 an hour less than I was previously making. The nursing home did not recognize my CMA certification, even though I had way more training than what I really needed. I mean it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to change adult diapers, feed someone, etc, especially if your a mom. Anyway, I'm rambling... So I took the lovely CNA class the nursing home gave, and took the CNA state exam. Now I have both a CNA license and a CMA certification. I spent over $13,000 in school, was guarenteed to get a job in my area as a CMA, and now I'm lucky if I can find a job making $8 an hr. My area is one of the lowest paid in Virgina I believe.

Enough rambling... basically check around your area to see if they hire CMA's or CNA's and find out the salary ranges. Before spending a lot of time and money on education that may be worthless.

Thanks for the advice! Around where I am from CNA's if you get a job in a doctors office you get paid like $14 to $16 dollars an hour. My cousin is doing that very same thing and she makes $14. She only has her CNA certificate. So hopefully I will get lucky!

I'm starting cna classes soon too, i am hoping to land a position working with handicapp kids. I previously worked w/ handicapp kids through va.school system. but since i don't have my aa degree i can't get into the schools here. so i thought a cna would be close to the work i already knoe how to do. i made 14$hr in va. i seriously doubt i will come close to that here but i just hope to work with exceptionally challenged kids again.....loved it, i hope a cna will help me dp that..
that's all thanks

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: thanks a lot! this really helps. Sounds to me though that are very similar. I am planning on taking medical assistance, not sure if they will teach us to draw blood and all that good stuff, but this really interests me. thanks again!

by the way iam already in the feild of medical assistant and they do train you how to draw blood.

hey this one is for anyone in the virgina area try looking in to everest college. they have a 95% placenent for every grad in the school its all hands on training. tired of taking unnessary course's to get throught shool and go straight into your studies check out everest i go to the school and i love it....

You sound like you are being paid to say that. Everest College is one of those written up on "Rip Off Report" and some of the testimonials sound horrendous. That aside,there is no school that has 95% placement,it just isn't possible. The one I went to claims it has a 80% placement success and it is a blatant lie. They are counting ALL those that found a job in the medical field,no matter how they got the position. I am on that list and I found a temp job by myself,and it wasn't even in medical assisting but physical therapy. But they are taking the credit like they helped me and fooling those that want to sign up at that school with a false impression that they have a high placement rate. Yeah,check out Everest on www.ripoffreport.com.

I have finally enrolled in an MA program and I am now in my 3rd semester. So far so good and Im glad to have made this decision. Yes, they will be teaching us to draw blood, those were one of the things I always wondered about. As for the job placement, you know I think all the schools just give a certain percentage to entice people to apply but in truth you will never really know until you graduate and apply for a job on how long it will take for a Medical Assistant to get one. This is just my opinion.

xavier rodriguez in Fairfax, Virginia said: hey this one is for anyone in the virgina area try looking in to everest college. they have a 95% placenent for every grad in the school its all hands on training. tired of taking unnessary course's to get throught shool and go straight into your studies check out everest i go to the school and i love it....

This guy is a shill for that ripoff school. I think someone is getting bribed by Everest College to certify them. Has to be. Should be investigated. Tell that to the idiot homey in the crooked baseball cap. "Call now call now call now!!!"

I am a CMA. I have never had a problem finding a job. I worked for a Urology Practice and moved to Family Practice for more variety. I drew blood, did EKG's, Vitals, Cathed pt's, Injections of all kinds.... the list goes on.
I quit with the birth of our first Daughter, and now I need to go back to work P/T. I couldn't find a CMA postion on the night shift, so now I am becoming a CNA.
My ultimate goal has always been to be an RN, so I figure the skills of both of these jobs will benefit me in the long run.
The only problem with becoming a CNA, is the class is 3 weeks long, and not very challenging. (Compared to CMA, 18 months long) Therefore, the caliber of people that you will have to work with will be much different. The turnover rate is VERY high in the CNA field, and the caring and competence level can vary greatly.

Thanks for the advice. I wish I could go be a CMA because I really want to work in a Physicians office. But I went today and put in some resumes, and one lady told me that the doctors office's that are actually owned by the doctor himself, they hire CNA's and teach them how to draw blood and everything so I'm hoping one will call me back! Your CNA course isn't very long. Mine is 4 months.

hi are you on line now, and my daugther is not a medical Assistant I am. did'nt find a job yet.in ann arbor michigan

when did you graudate?

I subscribe to the Sunday paper and I see a lot of openings for CMA's in our area. I just hope the demand stays that way until after I graduate to make sure that I get a job right away. Once I get a job as a CMA, I will try it out and maybe go for RN If I can.

Douglas in Seattle, Washington said: This guy is a shill for that ripoff school. I think someone is getting bribed by Everest College to certify them. Has to be. Should be investigated. Tell that to the idiot homey in the crooked baseball cap. "Call now call now call now!!!"

I totally agree! I went to Eton Technical, who told me that my classes would transfer to a 2 or 4 year college... well they didn't. I took the test and became a CMA, but wanted to pursue more education. NONE of my classes at Eton transfered anywhere. I had to start at square one. It is interesting because Eton Technical became Bryman College, then within a year or two changed the name to Everest College. DO NOT TRUST THIS SCHOOL!

I feel that Eton gave me a good education and I ended up getting a great job paying $13 a hour... but a lot of shaddiness goes on with the school.

(Oh yeah, I ended up leaving the medical field all together, went back to school for 2 years, and got my AA in Accounting and an AA in Business Administration.) CMA's top out at $16 here.... which is great pay.. but not for a single mom with one income!)

I believe that it all depends on yourself. The way you present yourself at interviews and the knowledge that you received when you were in school. I went to Florida Career College and between the 10 of us that took our certification together when I took it only 4 of us passed the certification exam. Now mind you the ones that passed would stay after school together and study also would meet with eachother periodically on the weekends before finals. Now all of us are doing good working in a hospital, a clinic, and 2 doctors offices. The rest that went back that didn't like to study have yet to find a job and keep it. The school will get you the interview but there is only so much they can do.

And I am a Medical Assistant!

Hey you guys,

I am living in nashville and attend to Remington college for MA, am kind of scared i wont find a job after i graduate and i need some help from you guys plz. After i graduate i will have to pay 7 thousand dollars for it and am afraid i would get a low paying career thats not worth it. is this true? does anyone know which hospitals are hiring in nashville area? thanks

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: I was just wondering...to some people I may sound really dumb but I wanted to know the difference between being a certified medical assistant and a certified nurse aide? or are they similar but just called different names? because I am planning to go back to school and I would love to work in the medical field.

A cma is someone who passes out medication for the nurses to the pt. they do have to have their cna lic. and able to what a cna can do. THEY DO MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A CNA BUT WITH MY EXPERANCE I have found it not to be much more. THE WORK IS NOT AS HARD ON THE BACK. IF YOUR WANTING TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL GO FOR YOUR RN ARE SOMETHING A BIT HIGHER UP BECAUSE TO BE ONE OF THOSE TWO WELL, THAT IS TO MUCH DOLLAR FOR THE LITTLE BIT OF DIME YOU WOULD BE GETTING PAID. GOOD LUCK. BY THE WAY THIS IS COMING FROM A CNA THAT KNOW'S ALOT OF CMA'S

I am thinking to go back to school. My friend advise me to do CMA coz thats easy job compared to CNA, LPN & RN. But after reading all those posted comments, I am now very confused. Does anyone have idea, which community school in Virginia has CMA course????????

I would avoid enrolling in an MA course. It's not easy work but even if it was,it's harder to find a job in it compared to the other fields you wrote of. You should get on a waiting list for one of the nursing courses and take a CNA class,to see if you like patient care. The risk is too high of getting your heart broken if you become an MA.

LC in Cleveland, Ohio said: Have you looked at all the medical assistant forums on Indeed? What is your opinion and thoughts about all the posts from those that are not finding a job?
Another good website is "Advanced Medical Assistant". You can find out on AMA how much different the duties are that CNAs do,some of the posts have a list of them. CNAs are taught more direct patient care and can work in hospitals. Most MAs can't,not as a medical assistant,in a lot of areas. That is one of the reasons it is easier to find a job as a CNA. You will see a lot of ads for them in the paper compared to help wanted ads for medical assisting.

MA can work in a hospital. Ive been a MA for many years. You can also work in ER. PPl are saying a MA course is only a few months. where I live, it takes 2 yrs. It was a very indept couse.

Tika Neupane in Arlington, Virginia said: I am thinking to go back to school. My friend advise me to do CMA coz thats easy job compared to CNA, LPN & RN. But after reading all those posted comments, I am now very confused. Does anyone have idea, which community school in Virginia has CMA course????????

I think NOVA might have one. If I went for a CMA course, I would choose a community college over a private one because the reputation is better. Be leary of some small colleges because I went to one years ago and when I needed a transcript with transferable credits, the school had closed. To top it off, I went through the State Department of Education and they had no trace of my transcript. The only thing that saved me was that I had transferred to a four-year college prior to this and they had my credits posted. I also had my certificate/degree. So, keep up with your credentials yourself. If I were you, I would do the LPN curriculum. However, I am not trying to discourage you because you know how deeply you want to go into the medical field. LPN gives you more flexibility to advance to RN. If you are a Medical Asst. it's mostly during the day. With LPN and RN, although harder to do, they pay off in the long run. Sometimes easy is not the way out unless there is a reason. I took this route because I had to care for my invalid mom. However, at 48, I wish to God that I had had the mind and encouragement of what's better. Don't be caught in a dog race and roller coaster later in life. Do whatever you are going to do before you have a family or get married. You owe it to yourself. GOD BLESS.

Stacy in Crimora, Virginia said: I went to school for CMA, I graduated in less than 2 years (had some classes from previous schooling that transferred), received an Associate Degree, took my certification exam and passed it, therefore also received my Certification as a medical assistant. Was told that if I took the exam it would open the doors to my career opportunity. (was told this by the school). 2 years later, I am NOT working as a CMA. Have had a very difficult time even finding work as a CMA. Was let go from a great dr. office because I did the clinical work GREAT, but I was mediocre with with the administrative side (i'm not fond of the front office part). Anyway, needed a job desperatley (got kids to feed) and got hired on at a nursing home making nearly $3 an hour less than I was previously making. The nursing home did not recognize my CMA certification, even though I had way more training than what I really needed. I mean it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how to change adult diapers, feed someone, etc, especially if your a mom. Anyway, I'm rambling... So I took the lovely CNA class the nursing home gave, and took the CNA state exam. Now I have both a CNA license and a CMA certification. I spent over $13,000 in school, was guarenteed to get a job in my area as a CMA, and now I'm lucky if I can find a job making $8 an hr. My area is one of the lowest paid in Virgina I believe.

Enough rambling... basically check around your area to see if they hire CMA's or CNA's and find out the salary ranges. Before spending a lot of time and money on education that may be worthless.

Have you tried to be a phlebotomist instead?
If your skills are that great, you might be able to qualify for a lab asst. I have a friend that is a lab asst. and she went to med. asst. school with me years ago.

God Bless You

angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: You know you have a point there. Whenever I look at those "help wanted ads" section in the sunday paper I dont really see anything for a medical assistant. But we live in Virginia and there is quite a few demands here for MA's. Plus, the school that Im planning on going to helps new graduates look for a job. I will look into other websites before I really decide which one to get into because when I do decide to go back to school I wouldnt want to waste my time and money on a program that I will take and end up having a hard time finding a job for. Thanks so much!

That happened to me. I went to a school that promised me they would help me to look for a job. Don't they tell them all that? If so, how many jobs are out there and will they all go to only the persons at your college? NO!!! I was suckered into that and I hope and pray that you listen to me because I had no one to tell me. Everyone just kind of brushed me off saying that what I was doing did not sound good but they didn't care enough to be frank as i am to you. These people say anything to get their way of filling classes. Don't fall prey to this because like I said, I have long time ago. Innocent, came from a small town with older parents that I was caring for and had no time of my own to do something for me. Not regretting that I cared for them, but what I do regret is not doing my homework. Go to the BBB and look into colleges with clout like your PUBLIC community colleges as someone else indicated somewhere else in the forum. One year my income tax check was taken to pay off a darned student loan that I didn't even know still existed. It ruined my credit and the little minimum wage money I was making I had to spend $75 a month (that was a lot plus penalties) to the government. I did not get a position that was worth anything until I was employed by the government in DC. Eventually, I went to a medical unit for clerical and nothing else.

LC in Cleveland, Ohio said: You sound like you are being paid to say that. Everest College is one of those written up on "Rip Off Report" and some of the testimonials sound horrendous. That aside,there is no school that has 95% placement,it just isn't possible. The one I went to claims it has a 80% placement success and it is a blatant lie. They are counting ALL those that found a job in the medical field,no matter how they got the position. I am on that list and I found a temp job by myself,and it wasn't even in medical assisting but physical therapy. But they are taking the credit like they helped me and fooling those that want to sign up at that school with a false impression that they have a high placement rate. Yeah,check out Everest on www.ripoffreport.com .

Gee, you got a position in physical therapy. That's great. What do you do in physical therapy?

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: but dont MA's have certificates and even Associates Degrees?

Yes, I have an AAS. While you are wasting your time as I have, you could be a full fledged LPN bridging to an RN. If you like the office environment, chance it. It's according to what you like. Like others in this forum has stated, be leary of these fly by night colleges. They will close on you or change their names. When you need a transcript they are not there.

As far as job placement, I remember once going to a house where this doc was supposed to be practicing. Innocent dumb me at the time desperate for work, I went and the man was ripping off people (old people and signing the up for the nursing home pretending they were dilly). Later, when we got back to the supposedly office, he wanted me to use this toy typewriter to type a letter. The letters were cruel to frighten someone and I refused to do it. Afterwards, he made passes at me. Another classmate (a male) came by for the position also and he was angry because something was illegal. They had not researched this pranker. I could have gotten hurt. I should have sued them but I was sooooo young and needy.
Don't be a victim like me PLEASE don't.
Go to a good PUBLIC comm. college.
God bless you and your need.

Kelly in Spokane, Washington said: I am a CMA. I have never had a problem finding a job. I worked for a Urology Practice and moved to Family Practice for more variety. I drew blood, did EKG's, Vitals, Cathed pt's, Injections of all kinds.... the list goes on.
I quit with the birth of our first Daughter, and now I need to go back to work P/T. I couldn't find a CMA postion on the night shift, so now I am becoming a CNA.
My ultimate goal has always been to be an RN, so I figure the skills of both of these jobs will benefit me in the long run.
The only problem with becoming a CNA, is the class is 3 weeks long, and not very challenging. (Compared to CMA, 18 months long) Therefore, the caliber of people that you will have to work with will be much different. The turnover rate is VERY high in the CNA field, and the caring and competence level can vary greatly.

Your CNA will be temporary. Do be a CNA or CMA because it will help in RN school. I was a CNA long time ago and thought that I didn't have to go in nursing school. I was 8 wks to graduation from RN school and failed. It was not due to so much of lecture but my nervousness in my clinical and the Satan's Sister of a teacher picked up on me. You know those that have to have someone to flunk to look good -- I'll stand on your back while you are down to raise me up high --- that kind. If it's nothing but to boost your confidence when you get on the floor. Nursing school can be HELL but with your background -- keeping it up-- you should do well. Do this while your child is little and you have a plus --- a husband to help. I am single and working part time sent me soaring downward in my finances. Now I don't have a job nor my degree. However, I will share this with you to help you. God bless you and pray that I find another RN program to go into.

thanks for everyones comments. I thought that after reading all of everyones different commments I would think twice about continuing to be a CMA but it is actually challenging me more. I guess situations vary for each individual. I have told my husband that if this does not work for me I can always continue my education and go into RN. We'll see what happens. Wish me luck guys! and thanks for all the comments.

if you're looking for a school/college that has the medical assisting degree, look at Bryant and Stratton College. They have one in the Richmond area (hull st.) or the one in VA Beach. Hope this helps.

CNA's wipe butts and CMA's are highly trained professionals who work in doctors offices. We draw blood, process labs, give XRays, injections, EKG's etc..nurses are primarily hospital based where as CMA's are clinic based

Sara in Ankeny, Iowa said: CNA's wipe butts and CMA's are highly trained professionals who work in doctors offices. We draw blood, process labs, give XRays, injections, EKG's etc..nurses are primarily hospital based where as CMA's are clinic based

CNA's can also be trained to draw blood start IV's and distribute meds. The wiping butts i presume is shot at thaose who work in nursing homes but in some states that is the job of a GNA. I think everyone can agree that both are highly trained and educated and CNA can also work in clinics and offices

i would go for MA unless you are doing cna to become RN. Also, for MA you can look at pureMedicalAssistantJobs.com to learn more but i agree with these postings so far

xavier rodriguez in Fairfax, Virginia said: hey this one is for anyone in the virgina area try looking in to everest college. they have a 95% placenent for every grad in the school its all hands on training. tired of taking unnessary course's to get throught shool and go straight into your studies check out everest i go to the school and i love it....

I'm sick of all their tv ads. During the day on stations that show talk and cop shows, they advertise during EVERY commercial break, sometimes more than once in the same break, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Go out of business and die Everest College!!!!

Many CMA schools are not allowed to teach students to draw blood nor give injections because it is against the law in many states. They usually learn "on the job" which is bad because many learn bad habits from others who "learned on the job". I was told by a CMA that she was a "nurse" and she could do everything that I do as a nurse. I told her she was wrong! If you want to be a "real nurse" go to nursing school!

Iveth Aragon in Miami, Florida said: I believe that it all depends on yourself. The way you present yourself at interviews and the knowledge that you received when you were in school. I went to Florida Career College and between the 10 of us that took our certification together when I took it only 4 of us passed the certification exam. Now mind you the ones that passed would stay after school together and study also would meet with each other periodically on the weekends before finals. Now all of us are doing good working in a hospital, a clinic, and 2 doctors offices. The rest that went back that didn't like to study have yet to find a job and keep it. The school will get you the interview but there is only so much they can do.

Have they help you find a job or give you interview for job placement in your field of your career?

MARY in Miami, Florida said: Have they help you find a job or give you interview for job placement in your field of your career?

The place that they had me complete my externship hired me. So the answer to your question yes. Its just that sometimes in school people don't study and/or don't speak english very well and then those are the people that get frustrated with the school. I was born and raised here so I have no problem speaking both languages. There are some people that also feel that they should have these jobs because they have the title but do not have a clue as to what it is that is really going on. You have to have the right attitude and knowledge for these jobs. Not just think because you took the course barely passed you deserve it. Its just like any other job the best candidate will be offered employment.

Angie in Midlothian, Virginia said: but dont MA's have certificates and even Associates Degrees?

Yes,Medical Assistants can earn an Associates degree where as a LPN earns just a certificate.

droptopchevy59 in Summerville, South Carolina said: I am CNA Certified Nursing Assistant and a CMA Certified Medical Assistant the all states are different when it come to average salaries for both. other differnces are CNA Program average 4 mos.are state certified they are mostly bedside personal pt care (bathing,changing pt.clothes, help w/feeding) in nursing homes and in hospitals,or if your fortunate private home care MD offices rarely hire CNAs they are not taught phlebotomy,how to run labs,how to file insurance, billing,medical transcription and are usually paid several thousand less per year. I worked 2 months as CNA in nursing home for $8hr never did it again
CMA program 1 yr is a national certification, they are taught wide range of skills basically every position in a medical office depending on what you prefer
clinical, front office, manager,billing specialist, medical records. CMA for 7 yrs @ MD started $9 left making $15 make $16 3 yrs I've work @ private co. setting up respiratory equipment in pts. homes drive company car. Hospital for some reason do not use CMA much they prefer CNA its the NURSE word but this is the norm for SC your state may be different in some ways

im a MA were can i go to take the state exam to become a CNA??

christina in Berkeley, California said: im a MA were can i go to take the state exam to become a CNA??

i came from overseas i need to know how do i get my certificate for rn in nj state.