Specialties Government
Published Aug 2, 2004
lillady24_24
3 Posts
Hi, Im new here and am being discharged from the navy of 6 yrs of service and would like to enroll into an LPN program. I am currently waiting on my medical assistant license to be mailed. If anyone could answer this question, i would be greatful......
could anyone tell me the order that medical positions rank?
such as...is an stna the same as a med asst, or is either one higher then the other. I am trying to find a job and do not want to apply for the wrong postion especially if i am overqualified. my med asst license is from the national registry of med assts.....
thank you for reading.......
lillady:)
bccunn
14 Posts
CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant
LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
RN - Registered Nurse
I have heard of Medical Assistant, and I believe it is the same as a CNA. Training will vary state to state. Also there is specialized training, such as Medication Nurse or IV Nurse, all require certifications, and again, it varies state to state.
Safest bet to be sure, call the Nursing Board in your state.
Hi, Im new here and am being discharged from the navy of 6 yrs of service and would like to enroll into an LPN program. I am currently waiting on my medical assistant license to be mailed. If anyone could answer this question, i would be greatful......could anyone tell me the order that medical positions rank?such as...is an stna the same as a med asst, or is either one higher then the other. I am trying to find a job and do not want to apply for the wrong postion especially if i am overqualified. my med asst license is from the national registry of med assts.....thank you for reading.......lillady:)
RNPATL, DNP, RN
1,146 Posts
CNA - Certified Nursing AssistantLPN - Licensed Practical NurseRN - Registered NurseI have heard of Medical Assistant, and I believe it is the same as a CNA. Training will vary state to state. Also there is specialized training, such as Medication Nurse or IV Nurse, all require certifications, and again, it varies state to state. Safest bet to be sure, call the Nursing Board in your state.
Actually, a Medical Assistance has the same standing as an LPN level.
Wow, are they licensed? What state do they use MA's in?
I was curious and did some research, there is a website for MA's, http://www.aama-ntl.org/# and this is the duty description.
So... what do Certified Medical Assistants actually do?
Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.
Administrative duties may include...
Clinical duties vary by state and include...
You must accomplish two things to become a CMA.
First, graduate from an accredited medical assisting program. This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Second, pass the AAMA CMA Certification Examination. This test is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
I am receiving it through the american registry of med asst's.
Medical Assistance are licensed in most States and work in a variety of places. Most of the CMA's that I know work in physician's offices.
I was curious and did some research, there is a website for MA's, http://www.aama-ntl.org/# and this is the duty description.So... what do Certified Medical Assistants actually do?Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty. Administrative duties may include...Using computer applicationsAnswering telephonesGreeting patientsUpdating and filing patient medical recordsCoding and filling out insurance formsScheduling appointmentsArranging for hospital admissions and laboratory servicesHandling correspondence, billing and bookkeepingClinical duties vary by state and include...Taking medical historiesExplaining treatment procedures to patientsPreparing patients for examinationAssisting the physician during the examCollecting and preparing laboratory specimensPerforming basic laboratory testsInstructing patients about medication and special dietsPreparing and administering medications as directed by a physicianAuthorizing prescription refills as directedDrawing bloodTaking electrocardiogramsRemoving sutures and changing dressingsYou must accomplish two things to become a CMA. First, graduate from an accredited medical assisting program. This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Second, pass the AAMA CMA Certification Examination. This test is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Excellent post - thanks for doing this footwork!
Cali
169 Posts
CNA
Medical Assistant
LPN
RN
Someone posted above that a medical assistant and an LPN are at the same level and this is not true. Medical Assistants are usually limited to only working in clinics. They give medications, do vital signs and get medical histories. They may even assist with minor surgeries in the clinic. As an LPN you can work in a clinic, hospital, or convalescent home. LPN's give medications, do IV's, put in foley catheters and can actually take on a patient load in the hospital. As as LPN I have worked Family Practice, Urgent Care, Surgery Center and Labor & Delivery. I'm not trying to make waves here. I just feel that you were misinformed.