Medical Assistants vs. CNAs: Differences to Consider

The main difference between medical assistants and CNAs is that CNAs concentrate on bedside care, whereas medical assistants manage both patient interaction and administrative duties.

When it comes to influential careers in healthcare, there are many roles, like nurses and assistants, that often go unnoticed. But, the truth is that, without their support, patient care would be chaotic, and doctors would struggle to meet the demands of their work. 

Among these incredibly helpful positions, medical assistants and CNAs stand out as two popular career options for those drawn to healthcare. But which one might suit you best? Let’s compare medical assistant vs. CNA to help you decide which path best aligns with your goals.

What Is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant (MA) is a healthcare professional whose role, true to their name, revolves around assisting the medical team within a healthcare facility. They can work in various healthcare settings, though they are most typically found in hospitals and private practice. 

In their day-to-day life, they juggle patient care and administrative tasks. Their adaptability and knowledge of these two sides of healthcare are important to maintaining efficiency in busy medical environments as they make sure patients receive medical assistance while doctors and nurses can focus on critical medical duties. 

What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

CNAs are also healthcare professionals who provide hands-on support to patients with their basic daily needs. They often work under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses but still have direct involvement in patient care, particularly in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and home health settings. 

CNAs help provide patient comfort and are often the first to notice any changes in a patient’s condition because they are the ones who keep track of their condition. Thus, they are invaluable for ensuring high-quality, attentive care in any healthcare facility.

Education and Certification Requirements

Because both roles are centered on healthcare, they do share a foundational understanding in terms of education. However, there are clear differences between medical assistants and CNAs when it comes to certification.

Educational requirements for MA

Medical assistants are typically required to complete a postsecondary education program. The level of education for medical assistants can range from a certificate to an associate degree and often takes around 9 months to 2 years to complete. The exact timeline depends on the type and mode of the program as well as personal circumstances. 

True to their role, during their education, MAs receive training that balances their clinical skills with administrative tasks such as coding, billing, and managing patient records. After completing their education, many MAs choose to take a certification exam, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam with the intention of enhancing their credentials. 

The CMA exam is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) in order to assess a candidate’s proficiency in the required skills and knowledge to perform as a medical assistant. The exam is divided into three main sections: 

• General knowledge, which consists of 38 questions (21% of the exam)
• Administrative knowledge, which consists of 36 questions (20% of the exam)
• Clinical competency, which consists of 106 questions (59% of the exam)

However, certification is not always required. It’s best to check as it can vary depending on state and employer.

Educational requirements for CNA

On the other hand, CNAs must complete a shorter but more specialized training program. Their certification programs often last 4-12 weeks and focus intensely on direct patient care.

The CNA certification process includes classroom instruction and practical training, typically involving state-mandated minimum hours of clinical experience. To officially become a CNA, candidates must pass a state-specific exam that includes both a written and a practical skills portion. 

Unlike MAs, certification is a requirement for CNAs to practice in most states, making it a non-negotiable step in their career path.

Key Skill Sets for MAs and CNAs

Both MAs and CNAs share many core skills, most of which are generally required by all professionals providing healthcare support. These skills include strong communication, empathy, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.

Additionally, it goes without saying that they both must have basic medical knowledge, including understanding vital signs, infection control, and patient confidentiality.

However, beyond these shared skills, each role also requires other unique abilities that fit their specific functions within healthcare. For example, MAs must have:

• Administrative proficiency, as they are often responsible for scheduling appointments, handling insurance claims, and managing patient records
• Technology proficiency in working with various medical software
• Multitasking skill

Similarly, CNAs have a different set of skills they prioritize, such as:

• Expertise in providing hands-on care, like bathing, feeding, and dressing patients, as well as helping them with mobility
• Physical stamina as they often need to assist patients with physical activities
• Emotional resilience

Responsibilities and Expectations for Each Role

MAs and CNAs share several common responsibilities, primarily revolving around patient interaction and support. Both these roles require you to be organized, compassionate, and detail-oriented.

For example, both professions often assist patients with their immediate needs, such as answering basic questions about procedures or helping them prepare for examinations. 

However, medical assistants are more focused on improving the patients’ experience. In whatever clinical setting they work through a range of clinical and administrative tasks, which include:

• Managing patient appointments
• Updating and maintaining patient medical records
• Processing and verifying insurance information
• Recording patient histories during intake
• Measuring and recording vital signs, such as blood pressure, weight, and temperature
• Assisting physicians during patient examinations
• Administering medications under supervision
• Drawing blood for laboratory tests
• Giving injections, following medical protocols

CNAs are much more deeply involved in hands-on care. Some of their day-to-day duties include:

• Assisting patients with bathing and personal hygiene
• Helping patients dress and undress
• Assisting patients with feeding as necessary
• Repositioning bedridden patients to ensure comfort and prevent bedsores
• Helping patients move around, including transferring from bed to chair or wheelchair
• Monitoring, recording, and reporting changes (if any) in patient’s health conditions
• Providing emotional support through conversation and companionship

Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities

Medical assistants can advance their careers by moving into specialized roles within medical offices or pursuing additional certifications in areas like phlebotomy or EKG technology. This way, they can expand their scope of responsibilities.

By investing in their education, pursuing advanced degrees, and gaining more experience, MAs can also become healthcare managers and nurse practitioners or even fulfill requirements to become physician assistants. 

Similarly, CNAs who wish to advance can pursue additional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) or specializing in areas like geriatrics or dementia care.

Many CNAs also choose to further their careers by transitioning into nursing roles, such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN), which require additional education, but it’s worthwhile as it provides more opportunities for higher-paying, more autonomous positions within healthcare. 

Salary Expectations and Job Outlook

In terms of salary, MAs generally earn a bit more than CNAs. The median annual wage for medical assistants is $42,000, with the lowest 10% earning under $33,500 and the highest 10% earning above $56,480. On the other side, nursing assistants have a median annual wage of $38,200, with the lowest 10% earning less than $30,020 and the top 10% earning more than $48,780.

Medical assistants also have a slight advantage over CNAs in terms of job outlook. Employment for MAs is projected to grow by 15% from 2023 to 2033, creating approximately 119,800 job openings annually.

In comparison, while the growth rate for CNAs is slower at 4% over the same period, there are expected to be more annual job openings—about 216,200—thanks to the continuous high demand in long-term care and hospital settings.

Pros and Cons of Each Role

Both medical assistant and CNA roles offer many advantages that make them appealing to aspiring students. But, they also present some challenges. As you reflect on which would be a better choice for you, it’s helpful to consider the pros and cons of CNA vs medical assistant.

Pros of MA	Cons of MA
Offers a blend of clinical and administrative tasks, keeping work varied	Requires proficiency in both clinical and administrative skills, which can be demanding
Often has higher earning potential and job growth rate compared to CNAs	Less direct patient interaction, which might be less fulfilling for some
Provides more paths for advancement, such as certifications or degrees in specialized fields	Work may involve tasks like insurance processing, which some may find uninteresting
Generally more opportunities to work in outpatient settings with regular hours	The need to balance multiple responsibilities can add pressure

Pros of CNA	Cons of CNA
Direct patient interaction, building strong connections with those under care	Physically demanding, often requiring lifting and extended time on feet
High demand in long-term care facilities and hospitals, offering stable job opportunities	Lower median wage compared to MAs and fewer advancement opportunities without additional education
Emotional fulfillment through supporting patients’ daily needs and comfort	Can be emotionally taxing due to the intimate nature of the care provided
A clear path to nursing roles, such as LPN or RN, through further education	Limited variety in tasks, mostly focused on routine caregiving duties

Which Role Is Right for You? MA or CNA

With those pros and cons in mind, it’s time to choose the role that is right for you. This choice depends largely on what type of work environment and duties you find most fulfilling. 

So, if you prefer structured, routine tasks and enjoy close, hands-on patient care, a CNA role would definitely be a better fit for you, especially if you envision eventually advancing into nursing. On the other hand, if you’re interested in healthcare but also enjoy organization and multitasking, a medical assistant role may suit you more.

Take some time to reflect on what each role has to offer in terms of its positive and negative aspects. Objectively speaking, there truly is no wrong choice. However, one of them is a better fit for you, and it’s up to you to decide which role that is.

Conclusion

Whether you become a CNA or a medical assistant, you’ll be fulfilling duties in a career where each day is an opportunity to help people and make a positive change. Whichever path feels like the right fit, remember that healthcare is a field full of opportunities for growth.

By pursuing certifications, further education, and new skills, you can continue advancing to reach even more people and deepen the impact of your work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do PA schools prefer MA or CNA applicants?

PA schools don’t tend to favor one role over the other; both MA and CNA experience can provide valuable skills for aspiring physician assistants.

Is being a medical assistant more challenging than being a CNA?

While medical assistants have added administrative and clinical responsibilities, this doesn’t necessarily make the role more challenging—it all depends on your skills and interests in patient interaction versus multitasking.

Is a medical assistant position considered higher than an LPN?

No, an LPN generally holds a higher position than a medical assistant because they have more advanced training in clinical patient care and can perform a broader range of medical procedures.