Difference between CMA & RMA

[chowlover]

Hello folks. I hope someone can help me out.

I am a RN in a large family practice office. This week I have been orienting a new CMA who says she came from a smaller office then ours- one or two drs I think. We were talking about calling prescri ptions into pharmacies & she asked which controlled substances she would be allowed to call it. I honestly did not know, & asked another CMA standing nearby. She told us 'I can call anything in my Dr wants me to call in'.

Later on that day I asked my supervisor if there were any 'dos and dont's '. Supervisor told me that CMAs cannot call any meds in but RMAs can.

Now I am confused. What is the difference between CMA & RMA? Don't you have to pass a exam for both of them?

[CMAtoRN]

I am not sure about this but I thought that a Registered Medical Assistant was only through the state applied. And a Certified Medical Assistant is a National exam. I am a Certified Medical Assistant and I am Nationally Certified and can go anywhere outside of my state and still be Certified.

[RedhairedNurse2Be]

\ said:

I am not sure about this but I thought that a Registered Medical Assistant was only through the state applied. And a Certified Medical Assistant is a National exam. I am a Certified Medical Assistant and I am Nationally Certified and can go anywhere outside of my state and still be Certified.

Both are national exams and I think both would transfer if you moved to another state. The only think that would be different is the skills MA are allowed to perform in their state. In Michigan MA can do a lot such as EKG, blood draws, PFT, injections, vitals, as well as front office work.

[CMAtoRN]

RedhairedNurse2Be said:

Both are national exams and I think both would transfer if you moved to another state. The only think that would be different is the skills MA are allowed to perform in their state. In Michigan MA can do a lot such as EKG, blood draws, PFT, injections, vitals, as well as front office work.

Yea same here in California. We can do a lot as well, everything you stated plus even x-rays..and removing sutures. Depends where you we work we are not as limited as most states..