Q. What is the difference between a medical assistant and a nursing assistant, or a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A. Medical assistants work primarily in clinics and medical offices under direct physician supervision, and nursing assistants work primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. CMAs (AAMA) are educated in and tested on clinical and administrative duties. CNAs provide bedside care at inpatient settings.
Legal Eye 
What can i do to help,, MEDICAL ASSISTANTS, become a state board exam just like a limited scope x-ray,,, or a lpn,, who all work in a medical office, The lpn’s in my office does the exact same job i do, And i am the one who holds the x-ray certification-liciense in my office, but i get paid less and do not get to hold the title of a nurse, but i am called a nurse by the doctors in the office along with the lpn, who also reminds me that i am not a nurse., At least make it a state exam to show that i am just as capable to do the same job as a lpn, by the way do they hafta to carry their own insurance or just work under a physican as well. I would like to see the respect that we deserve since i am 22 years in the making at being a lower class certified medical assistant, No wonder you lose so many to go on and become lpn’s or rn’s just for the name sake upgrade.
Thank you for your questions. Because you ask difficult and important questions, I am going to respond directly to your e-mail.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
WHY IS THIS ALWAYS THE CASE?
WE HAD A LPN JUST GET HER LICENSEAND NOW SHE THINKS SHE KNOW MORE THEN EVERYONE.NOT SAYING ALL ARE LIKE THIS.bUT I AGREE WITH TERESA,WE ALL DO THE EXACT SAME JOB,THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MY EYE.
AND IF YOU CAN BECOME AN MA WITH ON THE JOB TRAINING,WHY CANT IT BE THE SAME FOR ATLEAST AN LPN?I WORK WITH SOMEONE THAT CAME FROM BEHIND THE DESK AND NOW CALLS HERSELF AN MA.I GOT MY GED AND WENT TO SCHOOL TO BECOME WHAT I AM TODAY AND OTHERS ARE BEING HANDED THIS TITLE.
VERY CONFUSING!!!!
You raise valid points. It might be best if we talked about this by telephone. Are you available for a call later this week or next week?
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
This is very true in our office’s as well. If you are not a Nurse, Stuednet, LPN or RN it is the sam thing you are “told” you are not a nurse. We still get our Certification / Registered yet we are do leave our jobs to get our LPN or RN just to be reconized. the “nurses” in our office do the same thing as the CMA and less pay. They would rather pay someone 15.00 to sit around than an RN. This was degrating in the way it was stated. Our company also has Magnet Status because of Nursing, yet ” when MA’s are hired it will all go down hill” Certified and Registered Medical Assistants ARE part of NURSING. I am very frustrated at being looked at as lower class and not reconized.
Nurses are trained to expertly move through the nursing process. Medical assistants are trained in tasks. They should always be separate and NEVER confused for the service they provide.
You scared me when you said “hafta”
I agree, I hold a the title CMA for the past ten years yet the distinguishing between me and other medical assistants are little or no value. Our Human Resource Person will not put CMA on my medical ID even when I show and carry the CMA card. Because, as I understand it, what is the difference and one should not be recogzine for the same work that all other medical assistant perfrom. So why even bother other than for self enhancement to take the board if the title is not allowed to follow you through your career.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am sorry to hear about the problems you are encountering. I would be happy to speak with someone in the human resource department to clarify and emphasize the value of the CMA (AAMA) credential.
Would that be of any assistance for you?
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I have just started to study for my Associates in Applied Science for Medical Assisting. It is not cheap to become a CMA. If I am going to get the same pay and title with a degree why should I get board certifided?
I just recently graduated and became a CMA (AAMA) I work in a family practice and I have noticed many patients look at my badge and see CMA and automatically assume that I am a CNA or they will ask what how I compare to a nurse…My response is always that I graduated from a 2 year program and I am trained more in a doctors office setting rather than a hospital, but here LPN’s and I do pretty much the same tasks. Is it ok for me to say this? I have heard stories of nurses looking down on CMA’s but at my job thankfully they see me as an equal and I feel like I have about the same knowledge that they do. I just hope that eventually the CMA (AAMA) title is spread and more people (patients especially) know of CMA’s and what we do.
Thank you for your question, and for upholding the medical assisting profession and the CMA (AAMA) credential!
It is permissible for you to state that you many of the same duties as an LPN. However, you must make it clear that you are not a nurse in ANY sense, even in a generic sense.
Please be assured that the AAMA will continue to defend the medical assistant’s right to practice, and to point out the fact that the CMA (AAMA) is the gold standard of medical assisting credentials.
Thank you again.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I was wondering should I become a CNA first or MA? Any suggestions?
Thank you for your question. The answer to your question depends on whether you want to work primarily in inpatient settings providing bedside care, or in outpatient settings doing administrative duties as well as outpatient clinical duties delegated to you by the overseeing/delegating/supervising physician.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I would like to do MA but people tell me its hard to find a job and that it will be waste of time.
Thank you for your comment. In what state are you located?
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
Hi, I live in Tennessee
Thank you. I will send you 2012 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can find helpful statistics on the demand for medical assistants in your area of Tennessee.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
Thanks
You are very welcome!
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
We provide complete training for staff in our office. Is there any legal reason why we could not hire and train a CNA to work with our MA and CMA staff? I have an excellent candidate and would like to consider her for employment. Is there a crossover program?
Thank you for your question. Could you please tell me in what state you are located? Medical assisting laws vary somewhat from state to state.
After you provide this information, I will probably reply directly to your e-mail address because the explanation could be lengthy and I probably will have to attach several documents.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
If I am A CNA how do I become a CMA
I was an RMA through AAMP but lost it because being unemployed for so long I live in Oklahoma. Why am I finding it so hard to find a job in this field? Also, I was wondering if it would be possible to go through AAMA instead AAMP? What would be the process for that?
I would like to know what is the different of MA and nurse dutie exacly because i went to school and graduate and still don’t find job but i know the they hire nurse a lot.
Thank You
Thank you for your question. Here are some differences between medical assistants and nurses.
First of all, medical assistants who graduate from a postsecondary medical assisting academic program accredited by either CAAHEP or ABHES are educated in both front office administrative duties as well as back office clinical duties. LPNs, for example, are educated mostly in bedside clinical duties, although they are taught some administrative duties as well.
Secondly, medical assistants who graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES program are educated in the clinical duties performed in an outpatient setting. LPNs, as stated above, are educated mostly in the clinical duties that are done in an inpatient setting.
I hope this is helpful as an initial answer.
I worked for years as a CMA in a clinic. I currently work in a hospital as a HUC, but would like to use more of my CMA skills. My supervisor says they would need me to me a CNA to do that- is there some type of CMA to CNA crossover class or test I can take?
Thank you for your question. I donât believe any state has formal mechanism for medical assistantsâincluding CMAs (AAMA)âto apply their education, medical assisting credential, and experience toward meeting the state requirements for certified nursing assistants or medication aides-certified. I would suggest that you contact the state agency that regulates nursing assistants and ask whether it would give you credit for your medical assisting education and your CMA (AAMA) credential. In most states nursing assistants are under the jurisdiction of the board of nursing and/or the board/department of health/public health.
I hope this is helpful.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
The CMA (AAMA): Health Careâs Most Versatile Professional®
[cid:image003.jpg@01CFF8F0.5DE79010] [cid:image007.jpg@01CFF8F0.5DE79010] [wordpress] [mail]
I have an Associate’s Degree in Medical Office Management, graduated 09/2012. I took Medical Assistant classes and graduated in 05/1988. I’m from Ohio but I live in Alabama now, to be exact Tuskegee, Alabama and I am not able to find work in my field or anything close. I started out in the medical field as an Home Health Aide, and it seems this is the only employment I can really get a job in. I do not want to do that type of work forever. I want to be able to have a steady job I can go to everyday. Can a Medical Assistant work as a CNA? There are plenty of CNA jobs but, I can’t afford to pay the cost to become certified.
i have noticed that the jobs outside of Tuskegee will hire a CNA before they hire a Medical Assistant, why is that? Thanks.
Thank you for your question. I am sorry you are having these difficulties. I will send to your e-mail my article about medical assistants working in inpatient and outpatient settings, which was published in the July-August 2012 issue of CMA Today.
After you receive and read my article, let’s dialogue further by e-mail.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
Hello, I am trying to find out the State laws in Georgia for what a CNA and also a MA can and can not do. — Can a MA do IM injections? Can either do phlebotomy? I have tried looking through our states site and also trying to get information in a clear picture of what can and can not be done by law. Working in a urgent care as well as hospital setting.. there are lots that can be done. Inlcuding xrays- can you help me out?
Thank you for your question. I cannot answer your question about nursing assistants, but here is the Georgia law regarding medical assistants:
Medical Assistant Law and Rules
§ 43-34-44. Role of medical assistants clarified
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prohibit the performance by medical
assistants of medical tasks, including subcutaneous and intramuscular injections;
obtaining vital signs; administering nebulizer treatments; or other tasks approved by
the board pursuant to rule, if under the supervision by a physician in his or her
office; provided, however, that this shall not require on-site supervision at all times,
or the performance by medical assistants of medical tasks ordered by a physician
assistant or advanced practice registered nurse delegated the authority to issue such
an order in accordance with law and pursuant to rules of the board.
HISTORY: Code 1981, § 43-34-44, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 859, § 1/HB 509.
Rules:
360-3-.05 Medical Assistants, Polysomnography Technologists, and
Radiology Technologists.
(1) It shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the Board if a physician aids or abets
another person in misrepresenting his/her credentials or engaging in unlicensed practice.
Engaging in unlicensed practice includes delegation by a physician of professional
responsibilities to a person who is not authorized to provide such services. A physician
may delegate the performance of certain medical tasks to an unlicensed person with
appropriate supervision as provided herein.
(a) Medical Assistants
1. For purposes of this rule, a medical assistant is an unlicensed person employed by the
physician to whom he or she delegates certain medical tasks.
(i) A physician may delegate to a medical assistant the following medical tasks:
subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; obtaining vital signs; administering nebulizer
treatments; or removing sutures and changing dressings.
(ii) Physicians or physician assistants under basic job description and/or advanced
practice nurses under protocol must be on-site for a medical assistant to administer
subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, to administer nebulizer treatments, and to
remove sutures and change dressings. It is not required for a physician to be on-site for a
medical assistant to obtain vital signs.
(iii) Physician shall only allow medical assistants to provide services for which they have
been properly trained. Physicians shall maintain accurate and complete records of
professional services rendered.
(iv) Nothing in this rule prohibits the performance of tasks by medical assistants that
would not otherwise require a license.
So, it is apparent from the above that Georgia law permits physicians to delegate to competent and knowledgeable medical assistants working under their direct supervision in outpatient settings the administration of IM injections and venipuncture/phlebotomy.
Here is limited scope radiography information:
Georgia
Georgia Secretary of State, Professional Licensing Division
237 Coliseum Dr.
PO Box 13446
Macon, GA 31208
487-207-2440 or 404-657-5400
http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb
The state of Georgia does not license the operators of x-ray equipment, nor does it have any requirements relative to the licensure or credentialing of x-ray machine operators.
I hope this is helpful.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I am a Nursing Assistant and have been for over 20 years; I recently moved to Maryland and am having a hard time finding an NA position as it seems like the NA positions are now MA positions, With my experience as an NA, what would I need to do in order to obtain the MA?
Thank you for your question. I will send Maryland scope of practice information to your e-mail address.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
If im already a medical assist. What do i have to do to become a c.n.a?
Thank you for your question. To become a certified nursing assistant, you should contact the state agency that has jurisdiction over CNAs. This is usually the state board of nursing or the state department of health/public health.
You will have to meet the state requirements for being a CNA. In some states, you may be given partial credit for your medical assisting education and your CMA (AAMA) credential.
I hope this is helpful.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I am a cna and would like to know what I must do to be able to work as a MA. I live in Colorado.
Thank you for your question. I will e-mail you the information.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Executive Director, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
Visit us on Facebook! http://www.aama-ntl.org/facebook
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional
I am a certified medical assitant and I work with someone who is an LNA but on her badge it says MA. The position I was hired for is the same position she works in, and when looking at what one must have in order to apply, it says you must have graduated from a accredited medical assistant program. Can’t she get in trouble for that? If so, is there a term for lying about your job title? The state I am in is NH.
Thank you for your question. This is a bit of a difficult question.
Did this individual falsely state that she was a graduate of an accredited medical assisting program? If so, she could be held accountable for this.
Or, did the employer authorize her to wear a badge with initials âMA,â knowing that she did not graduate from a medical assisting program and therefore did not meet this requirement for the position? If so, the employer could possibly be held accountable.
I hope this is helpful.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
The CMA (AAMA): Health Careâs Most Versatile Professional®
[cid:image003.jpg@01CFF8F0.5DE79010] [cid:image007.jpg@01CFF8F0.5DE79010] [wordpress] [mail]
Mr. Balasa, Is it legal in the state of NC for a CMA to do telephone triage, adjust coumadin doses based on a written protocol or educate patients in an ambulatory setting? I am also interested in SC and Virginia law. Any help appreciated.
Part of the issues that MAs are experiencing are due to supply and demand. Nursing assistants must be licensed in the state of Colorado. In order to get a job as a nursing assistant, four weeks of instruction is followed by a state exam. There are few schools in Colorado offering this training. Several schools in Colorado have been churning out medical assistants and the field is saturated. Training is at minimum 12 months to two years. You do not need to be licensed or certified to work as an MA in Colorado. I feel like I am a dime a dozen as a CMA. Most staff members in an office setting do not even know what ” scope of practice” is and feel that they should be able to do “anything” the doctor tells them to. Often, administrative staff will refer to the MAs as CMAs regardless of credentialing. However the root of the problem is that there are many schools and colleges offering MA training with a resultant downward pressure on both prestige and salaries. I am a CMA (AAMA). I have to admit that I am wondering if it is worth renewing that credential and that if I do renew my credential, I am doing it because it is important to me and won’t help me get or retain a job.
As a year long to two year program, medical assistant training is lucrative for the colleges and vocational training schools, so they are actively recruiting students. Colleges can obtain grants and student loan assistance for medical assistant students. However, a four week program for nursing assistant does not qualify for any type of grant money and often students have to take a personal loan or the training is covered by the employer. My experience is in Colorado.
I would like to know if AAMA does Certification for CNA if not can you please guide me as to how and where I can get Certification for CNA. Thank you
Thank you for your question. The AAMA does not offer certification for certified nursing assistants (CNA). CNAs are usually under the jurisdiction of the state department of health or the state board of nursing. I will send you an email with additional information.
Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, Legal Counsel
American Association of Medical Assistants
Ph: 800/228-2262 | Fax: 312/899-1259 | http://www.aama-ntl.org
The CMA (AAMA): Health Care’s Most Versatile Professional®