Medical Assistant vs. CNA: What's the Difference?

With over 123,000 medical assistant job openings annually and 1.3 million nursing assistants caring for patients, the healthcare industry is clearly booming. But what sets these roles apart?

Medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are crucial healthcare professions that are often confused due to their overlapping responsibilities and work environments.

While both roles are integral to patient care and support within the healthcare system, they differ significantly in their duties, work settings, and career paths.

If you're considering a career in either role, the following article is designed to help you understand the differences and serve as a basis for additional research. Let's explore each position.

#1. Work Environment

MAs often work in doctor’s offices or clinics, while CNAs are usually in hospitals or nursing homes.

Medical Assistants

• Offices of physicians
• Hospitals: state, local, and private
• Outpatient care centers
• Offices of other health practitioners

Medical assistants (MAs) work full-time, spending much of their time on their feet, walking or standing while visiting patients. However, some MAs do a lot of administrative work and spend much of their time sitting behind a computer.

Certified Nursing Assistants

• Residential care facilities
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes

The work that certified nursing assistants (CNAs) do is physically intensive. They spend most of their shifts on their feet, caring for patients. They also have one of the highest instances of physical injuries on the job.

Key Differences:

• Medical assisting requires professionals to work in a fast-paced outpatient setting. Most patients are seen and leave on the same day.
• Certified nursing assisting professionals work in an inpatient setting. They typically care for patients who stay overnight or for an extended period.

#2. Patient Interaction

Patient interaction refers to how often these professionals see their patients. MAs have less direct patient contact and focus on administrative tasks, while CNAs provide hands-on care.

Medical Assistant

MAs provide both administrative and clinical services. They may be responsible for taking patients' vital signs and medical histories. Inside a physician's office, MAs may be required to schedule appointments and manage patient records.

Certified Nursing Assistant

CNAs provide direct care to patients in a clinical or nursing care facility setting. CNAs can assist with basic medical procedures like taking and recording blood pressure and giving patients medications.

Key Differences:

• CNAs have direct contact with patients daily
• MAs typically spend less time with patients and focus on administrative tasks

#3. Educational Requirements and Paths

MAs typically need a shorter training program, while CNAs require state-approved training and passing an exam.

Medical Assistants

• High school diploma or GED
• Accredited training program completion
• Optional certifications such as the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), or the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) from the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Administrative & clinical skills required
• Training duration: 9 months to 2 years

MAs must complete their high school degree and postsecondary education or do on-the-job training to earn their title.

Certified Nursing Assistants

• High school diploma or GED
• State-approved training programs
• State competency exam required
• Training duration: 4 to 16 weeks

CNAs need to complete state-approved training to achieve this title.

Key Differences:

• Medical assisting requires more extended training programs of 9 months to 2 years
• Certified nursing assisting programs are quicker to complete at 4--16 weeks
• CNAs are required to get certified and pass a state-approved exam after completing their program, while MAs are not.

#4. Job Duties and Responsibilities

MAs handle both administrative and clinical tasks, while CNAs focus on patient care and daily living assistance.

Medical Assistants

• Interview patients, record medical history
• Measure vital signs, help with patient examinations
• Schedule appointments, manage records

Medical assistants often focus on clinical or administrative work, but some focus on one area over the other. This usually depends on where they work.

Certified Nursing Assistants

• Clean and bathe patients
• Help with toileting and dressing
• Measure vital signs and serve meals

CNAs provide basic care and help patients with their daily living activities. Also, depending on their level of training and the state they're working in, they may dispense medications.

Key Differences:

• MAs typically support doctors and clinics with administrative and clinical tasks.
• CNAs typically provide direct patient care and help with daily living activities and emotional support, and they have extended interaction with patients compared to MAs.

#5. Salary and Job Outlook

MAs generally earn more and enjoy faster job growth compared to CNAs.

Medical Assistants

• Median annual wage: $42,000 (May 2023)
• Employment growth: 14% from 2022 to 2032

The average wage for medical assistants varies based on the industries they work in. For example, in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the highest-paying work environments for MAs were outpatient care centers at $46,090. The lowest paying industries for MAs were offices of other health practitioners at $36,480.

Certified Nursing Assistants

• Median annual wage: $38,130
• Employment growth: 4% from 2022 to 2032

The average wage for certified nursing assistants in the top industries, according to the BLS, including government, is $43,410, with the lowest median annual salary being around $35,350 for home healthcare services. The average growth of this industry is about on pace with the rest of the job market.

Key Differences:

• Medical assisting jobs offer potentially higher pay, with a median pay range of $42,000; certified nursing assistants have a median pay range of $38,130.
• MAs have a higher job rate growth at 14% compared to 4% for CNAs.

#6. Soft Skills Needed

Both MAs and CNAs need strong people skills, but MAs focus more on organization, while CNAs emphasize patience and empathy.

Medical Assistants

• Written communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Empathy
• Attention to detail

MAs work with patients on a daily basis, including scheduling appointments, and they also work with other healthcare professionals, requiring interpersonal communication skills.

Certified Nursing Assistants

• Empathy
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Stamina
• Attention to detail

Working one-on-one with patients daily requires high empathy and attention to detail. CNAs must possess high levels of each to ensure patient satisfaction.

Key Differences:

• Medical assistants focus on communication, organization, and time management for administrative and clinical tasks.
• Certified nursing assistants emphasize patience, empathy, and personal care skills to assist with daily living activities.

#7. Certification Requirements and Exams

CNAS must be certified in most states, while certification is optional for MAs.

Medical Assistants

Certification requirements and exams vary from state to state. Many medical assistants must graduate from an accredited program and be licensed or certified, etc.

While most states do not require certification, many employers prefer it.

Certified Nursing Assistants

Requirements for CNAs vary state by state. Most states require CNAs to hold a certification or license. Additionally, they are required to pass a state competency exam. Once the exam is passed, CNAs are placed on the state's registry and may work in a nursing home, etc. However, some states require additional training, so checking your local and state requirements for more information is essential.

Key Differences:

• Certified nursing assistants are required to be certified
• Medical assistants are not required in all states to have certifications

#8. Career Advancement Opportunities

Both CNAs and MAs can advance their careers through additional education, training, and gaining experience. CNAs can pursue becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). On the other hand, MAs can advance their careers by specializing in a specific area of healthcare, including phlebotomy, EKG, or medical billing and coding. They can also pursue a career as a nurse or healthcare administrator.

Key Differences:

• MAs can pursue specialized niches to advance their career, such as phlebotomy and medical billing.
• CNAs can pursue additional education to advance their careers to become an LPN or RN.

#9. Emotional Demands

Both jobs can be emotionally challenging, but CNAs often form closer bonds with patients.

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants deal with patients managing chronic conditions or undergoing medical procedures. Their patients may be under extreme emotional distress, which positions MAs to invest a good deal of empathy and compassion for short periods.

Certified Nursing Assistants

CNAs have a lot of one-on-one time investment with patients and their families. This can lead to a higher level of emotional investment in patient care. The compassion and empathy required to manage this position can take quite a toll on these professionals.

Key Differences:

• Medical assistants manage a more comprehensive range of patients' emotions due to varied interactions.
• CNAs build deeper relationships with patients, leading to higher emotional investments.

#10. Technology Skills

Both use technology, but MAs often use a wider variety of medical equipment.

Medical Assistants

MAs must be comfortable using basic medical technology, including electronic health records and vital signs monitors. They also may be required to use medical imaging equipment.

Certified Nursing Assistants

CNAs must use medical technology like MAs, such as vital signs monitors and electronic health records. They must also be proficient in specialized equipment, such as patient lifts and mobility aids.

Key Differences:

• MAs are required to handle basic medical technology, electronic health records tools, and a diverse range of other medical instruments.
• CNAs are required to use specialized equipment, such as patient lifts and mobility aids, to assist patients with their daily mobility requirements.

Conclusion

Medical assistants and certified nursing assistants are vital to the healthcare industry, each offering unique roles and responsibilities.

You'll find MAs working in outpatient care facilities, performing administrative and clinical duties. CNAs work in inpatient settings, offering direct patient care and assisting with daily living activities.

Both careers offer advancement opportunities and the chance to impact lives meaningfully. We encourage you to continue further research to learn more about either role.