Is a Medical Technician Assistant a CNA

It is probably some kind of advanced CNA training. If it was an LPN position, it would say so, since LPN is a licensed position.

That kind of job is hospital-defined, within the scope of practice for non-licensed personnel in the state.

In the city where I currently work, what one hospital calls CNAs, another calls PCAs, another calls MAs, and one just calls "assistants."

In the hospital where that position is called MA, the PCA is actually the job title for the unit secretary.

In my opinion, it is just the facility's way to make sure the public has no clue who is taking care of them.

Your best bet is to either call HR and ask, or get a copy of a detailed job description.

It sounds like what one facility called "patient care techs," or PCTs. I had that job when I was in nursing school. It was non-licensed, though we had to be either in nursing school or have our CNA. We did all CNA tasks, plus certain sterile procedures: foleys, straight caths, sterile dressing changes; plus EKGs and lab draws.

You should call the HR department and ask some questions. It is quite possible, and probable, that they are hiring persons who do not hold LPN licenses to do these tasks. Unless LPN is listed as a requirement in the job description, they can hire anyone into these positions. That is how hospitals get around their personnel problems. They can pay them less too. Call and find out. Or go to their website and read the official job description.

From my experience it is a CNA with advanced training that is qualified to pass meds, but not narcotics. This "advanced training" really isn't advanced at all- just a two week course including names of drugs and state regulations. Some people are really upset about this where I work, but I'm sure we will see more of this as the nursing shortage gets worse.

We need to start writing out congressmen or something for more nursing school funding so schools can expand, this is getting rediculous!!