Emt-b/cna/ma

RoxanRN · Jun 14, 2005

I was looking for someone who can tell me the difference between these certifications. I was always of the belief that a CNA was the inside version of an EMT-B. What skills are you allowed to practice as a CNA that you may or may not be able to practice as an EMT-B.
Im not sure of the course requirements and class hours for the CNA but I can tell you for my EMT-B the course I took thru our ALS transport provider was 169 hours with an additional 16 hours for the PHTLS cert.

I'm not sure what it is like in WA, but in KS, a CNA can't put on KEDs, LSB, Stair Chair, general cot operations, Hare Tractions, etc because they don't know how - not part of their curriculum. CNAs generally bathe and dress residents, assist with ambulation, feed residents, etc. These are not part of the EMT-B curriculum. Depending on the state, EMT-Bs can assist patients with/give certain medications (ASA, NTG, nebulizers, epi-pens) by protocol/policy. CNAs cannot. Generally speaking, each are at the bottom of their respective 'food chains.' CNAs do not (generally) get additional certifications. Feel free to correct me or to add what I may have forgotten.

smk1, LPN · Jun 14, 2005

MA = medical assistant usually works in an office or clinic, if phlebotomy certified, may do blood draws, vitals signs give some shots and meds. (perhaps a few other skills in the office arena as well)

CNA= nursing assitant can work in hospital, LTC or clinic occasionally. usually performs activities of daily living, vital signs, cathter and perineal care, ambulation some basic ROM exercises. Can be delegated to do more advanced nursing procedures.

EMTb= completely different skill set than the other 2 jobs, as they are learning prehospital procedures.

the 3 aren't interchangeable, however if you were to apply for a general tech job in a hospital all 3 certifications may be hired to do the same job.

FirefighterDoug · Jun 15, 2005

MA = medical assistant usually works in an office or clinic, if phlebotomy certified, may do blood draws, vitals signs give some shots and meds. (perhaps a few other skills in the office arena as well)
CNA= nursing assitant can work in hospital, LTC or clinic occasionally. usually performs activities of daily living, vital signs, cathter and perineal care, ambulation some basic ROM exercises. Can be delegated to do more advanced nursing procedures.
EMTb= completely different skill set than the other 2 jobs, as they are learning prehospital procedures.
the 3 aren't interchangeable, however if you were to apply for a general tech job in a hospital all 3 certifications may be hired to do the same job.

Thank you for the information. Thats pretty much what I figured. One of the guys on my department went ahead and got his IV tech cert, we dont start enough IV's for him to meet the number of sticks to keep certified so he figured he would cover some shifts in the ER to help him get some sticks. He was told they wanted EMT/CNA/MA one or all did not matter. He made a call to one of the schools that offer CNA just to check on what benefit if any there would be in taking the course and they told him he was already trained above the level of CNA. Like you said different skills for a different setting.

I dont know where your interest in pre hospital emergency medicine lies but here some things that might be of interest to you or others . More and more responsibilities are being put on field providers, both EMT-B's and EMT-P's are being given more skills. This is a real plus for the pt but makes initial training and cme more involved for small departments like mine. Our ALS transport agency likes to refer to our EMT-B's as PMA'S(Paramedic assistants) and that means training for advanced skills like getting IV's ready to start, set-up and use of the lifepack and assisting the medics with endotracheal intubation. There is talk of the EMT-B going from 169 to 250 hours to accomadate more skills, so if anyone is thinking of going that route you might want to pick up the pace and git r done. Here are some skills our MPD allows my departments EMT-B's to preform

O2 Administration

Pule Oximetry

Airway management including BVM, OPA,NPA,and suction.

Glucometry

Admin of Nitro,EPI pens,inhalers,glucose and activated charcoal all following protocols.

Traction splinting.