Medical Assistant or PCA

[runnerdoug87]

Not sure if place to post this...I am currently unemployed and as far as I know current state I live at allows you to continue unemployment if you go for a certificate program that assist in advance employment. I am not sure what I want to do in the Health Care field. I have been involved in it for about five year from EMS, working in the operating room, and working inpatient behavioral health. Back to the topic thinking of MA program kind of in the middle of price ranges in my state. Where PCA is $2500, MA is $5000, and LPN is $12,000.

The PCA program is also eligible and takes three month's. It is about a ten minute drive from where I live. The M.A. program is 10 months, one externship, includes books and materials for course, pays for national exam, and includes Anatomy 1 and 2. The drive is a bit further, but doable.

Curious on people's feedback of the two positions...I have worked with a lot of great PCAs, but never worked with a medical assistant before. The job market here seems to hire more M.A.s over PCAs. Is pay normally similar?

Appreciate the feedback

[ladyvp05]

I guess it depends on where you want to work. PCA usually work in the hospital. MA in a clinic. Also I have read a little people can't find a job after getting out of MA school, but that may depend on where you live. I live in central arkansas. I'm a MA and got hired on at my externship site and had several other offers. Been a ma for 2 years. Also every MA that I have trained on their externship had got a job. Some on their own and some we have put in a good word for them at another Dr's office. However I believe pca or CNA is a good choice as well if your ultimate goal is being a nurse. I'm in nursing school now and plan on getting a patient care tech job to expose me to acute care. If you plan on going to nursing school check to see if that anatomy is transferable. If it is you will have a great start towards nursing prerequisites