What is a certified nursing assistant?

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) handles basic patient care tasks within medical settings and typically supports nurses. They typically work in hospitals, senior care communities and other facilities where residents need assistance with healthcare or personal care. In hospitals, CNAs might work with patients recovering from an illness or injury. Common duties CNAs handle may include:

• Helping with eating, bathing, dressing and other routine tasks
• Taking and recording basic vitals, including temperatures and blood pressure
• Responding to call bells
• Stocking medical supplies
• Cleaning medical equipment
• Recording information in patient files
• Transporting patients and assisting with mobility
• Reporting changes in patients to registered nurses

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants assist doctors and nurse practitioners and often work in clinics and medical offices. They also typically handle administrative work. Common duties of medical assistants may include:

• Taking patients’ medical histories
• Preparing patients for procedures
• Assisting during procedures
• Administering medication
• Tending to patient wounds and other minor injuries
• Answering phones and greeting patients
• Managing medical records
• Schedule appointments, lab services and hospital admissions

Where the roles overlap

As assistant jobs in medical settings, CNAs and MAs both handle direct patient care and clerical work, such as updating patient files. They take care of basic care needs and the administrative tasks associated with them so RNs and physicians can focus on their core responsibilities. Some work locations, such as hospitals and nursing homes, are the same for CNAs and medical assistants.

CNA vs. MA: How the roles differ

Comparing the details of medical assistant versus CNA roles often reveals the information you need to make a hiring decision. Here are the common differences in the roles.

Training requirements

The qualifications for a CNA vs an MA often vary, depending on state criteria. States typically require CNAs to complete an approved certified nursing assistant training program.

Training and educational requirements for medical assistants tend to vary more. The most common way to become an MA is to complete a medical assistant program. While program lengths may vary, it usually takes a year or less. Some medical assistants complete an associate’s degree.

In some states, you can hire medical assistants who have no formal education. They learn skills on the job.

Certification

CNAs must be certified by the state based on the requirements for that jurisdiction. In addition to completing an approved CNA program, candidates typically need a minimum amount of clinical hours.

Certification or licensure vary by state. Even if your state doesn’t require certification, some jobseekers may choose to earn one.

Pay rate

On average, medical assistants earn $19.95 per hour, according to Indeed Salaries. CNAs average a slightly higher pay rate at $20.29 per hour, plus $4,500 in overtime.

Work location

While medical assistants and CNAs can work in almost any medical facility, common work locations tend to be different for each role. Medical assistants typically work in outpatient facilities where patients come for appointments and leave. Examples include doctor’s offices, health clinics and urgent care centers.

CNAs are typically more common in facilities where patients stay longer and need ongoing care, such as hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Home health agencies often employ CNAs to handle in-home patient care.

Supervision

CNAs typically report to a licensed nurse, often a registered nurse (RN). They assist RNs by handling basic care so they can deliver advanced medical care to the same patients. A CNA might be the person to answer a call button at the hospital to see what the patient needs. From there, they can call a nurse if needed.

Doctors and nurse practitioners usually supervise medical assistants. The duties of an MA help the doctor or nurse practitioner do their job better. MAs might stay in the room while the care provider performs treatments or procedures to help out as needed.

Day-to-day duties

Both roles care for patients and handle work that helps other medical providers, but they often do it differently.

Since CNAs typically work with patients who spend an extended period of time in a facility, they typically help with ongoing care needs. A large part of that includes personal care to support the patient’s hygiene, mobility and nutritional needs. They often work with the same patients for several days, weeks or months, depending on the work setting.

Medical assistants typically help with exams for patients who come to an office for appointments. They help prepare for the appointment so the doctor or nurse practitioner can get to the exam faster. That often means setting up rooms, handling paperwork and getting information from patients. They may also help during and after the appointment with tasks such as drawing labs and explaining follow-up care to patients.

Should you hire a CNA or a medical assistant?

Deciding whether to hire a CNA or a medical assistant requires you to evaluate your circumstances. The roles are similar, and they can perform many of the same duties. Keep these details in mind:

• Who needs help: Do your nurses or doctors need assistance? This helps you decide which role is more appropriate since CNAs generally help nurses and MAs typically help doctors.
• Amount of clerical work : Medical assistants typically handle more paperwork and clerical work than CNAs, although both positions require some administrative work.
• Specific duties: Many of the duties overlap, but there are distinctions between them. Think about what types of duties you want your new employee to handle. Writing a list of the expected duties can help you determine if the role leans toward a CNA or a medical assistant.
• Work location: The job location and type of patients you have can impact which role you hire.

When to hire a CNA

Hiring a CNA might be the right choice in these circumstances:

• You’re hiring for a nursing home, hospital or another care facility where patients stay.
• The position leans more toward direct patient care, particularly personal care tasks.
• Your nursing team needs help keeping up with their duties.
• You want to offer long-term patients individualized care.

When to hire a medical assistant

Meanwhile, you might consider hiring a medical assistant if these situations apply to you:

• You’re hiring for a clinic or doctor’s office.
• You have a large volume of clerical work to handle.
• You need help covering the front desk and phone lines.
• You have a wide variety of tasks you need help completing.
• Your doctors or nurse practitioners need help to improve patient care.

FAQs about medical assistant versus CNA roles

What are similar roles in the medical field?

The medical field includes several support roles that improve patient care and relieve some of the workload from nurses and physicians. Some examples include patient care technicians, home health aides, medication aides, EMTs and physical therapy assistants. Exploring all potential support roles helps you choose one that best supports your patients and medical providers.

Do CNAs or medical assistants rank higher?

CNAs and MAs have different roles in healthcare, but they’re generally considered comparable in rank, with some differences in scope and setting.