Medical Assistant training?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello I am very interested in becoming a Medical Assistant.

I am a hard worker, i am reasonably sharp, and have a good attitude.

I have always been a people person, and I would like to get my foot in the door as far as a healthcare career.

But I need work sooner than later. (I have a small family). So training to be a Medical Assistant seems attractive.

There are numerous ways to get training to become a Medical Assistant (campus or online), as I am sure all of you have seen. Does anyone have any advice as far as training or type of schooling? Also where would one look for a job for a Medical Assistant.

Also what is the difference between a M.A. and a C.N.A. as far as the work that they do? Also does anyone have any idea a general idea of what is the difference is in pay?

Any advice, wisdom or suggestions would be sincerely appreciated.

Scott.Andrew

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Everything that was mentioned here. https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/how-much-did-522669-page2.html#post4698986

Pay is different depending on where you work. What city an state are you in?

What other work experiance do you have?

In my city the pay from least to greatest is

CNA--->Medical Assistant---->Lab Assistant---->Phlebotomist

But it all depends on where you work.

I know medical assistants that are making minimum wage. Some CNAs who are making $10. Some Phlebotomists making 10 and some Lab assitants making $15.

FIRST! I would but in a million applications and see if you can get on entry level and recieve on the job training instead of paying for a course. Once you get experiance and certification you can look for better paying jobs. Check out blood banks, urgent care clinics, mental health facilities for CNA (r u a dude, they love big strong men, lol).

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Specializes in Hospice/Mental Health/LTC/Home Health.

i was in school to be a medical assistant...one year to make 10-12 dollars an hour which is what i was making as an aid. lpn school one year 16-20 dollars an hour. but thats in ohio where i live. im sure its different everywhere im not sure.

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Improve your employability in terms of available work and better pay by becoming an LPN.

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I used to teach a CNA class at a vocational school. Many MA's that attended the school were unable to find jobs and wound up in my class. Legally an MD can train their own assistant an MA is not required to work in an MD's office, but most MD's require it knowing an MA has had some formal training. I have noticed biased towards females when MD's were hiring MA's. My MD said it was because he needed a female to be present while he was examining other female patients and no males ever applied for the job. Thats my story & I'm sticking to it.

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I just graduated with my MA degree from a community college. I had a CNA license that I let expire.

LPN is a good choice but where i am the prereqs alone take at least a year at a community college and the programs are super competitive. 250 applicants for 15 spots. LPNs make a bit more though.

As an MA student, I took course in Radiology, sonography, phlebotomy, I was trained in assisting with physical exams, billing, coding, front office.

At my studen internship, I assisted with physical exams, helped out in the lab, filed, worked in the front office, did EKGs, did eye exams, hearing exams, gave vaccinations ect. I finished it in November and they just called me to say they had an MA opening and wanted me to apply even though I just formally graduated 2 weeks ago.

Another advantage of the MA program at the community college is that the courses are all transferable. I took English, Math ect. Whatever Bachelors degree I decide to pursue they will transfer. My CNA course was pass fail. Males are definately welcome in the MA field, the Urgent Care centers, Health Departments, and doctors offices are all constantly looking to add male MAs.

Good luck!

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