Medical assistants and LPNs

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HI all,

I have just finished a medical assisting program and im now looking for a job. I have noticed alot of job openings for lpn but nothing for medical assistants. I was wondering first of all what is the difference? I can pretty much do everything an lpn can do. I was wondering if I applied to lpn positions would I be a candidate for lpn positions or would I be wasting my time? Please somebody answer my question I would greatly appreciate the advice.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I'm shocked that physicians are okay with this, myself. I'd love to get a doc's opinion of this one (where is TiredMD when you need him!)

I have a feeling that they just can't be bothered to weigh in on this subject, but as I said in the previous posting, you can be absolutely certain that the doc is going to bail on you the MINUTE you make a medication mistake that puts his or her license in jeopardy.

Needless to say, I would think that over the coming years, states (including Alaska) will tighten up on what a CMA can and cannot do. I don't see their scope of practice broadening (nurses would freak, and when nurses freak, doctors take note, and the chain reaction always reaches the various governing boards.)

Regards,

Michael

Not only that, but if there is a nurse that is present, that same doctor will bail out on BOTH, the nurse and the CMA. This is the deal that makes nurses so outraged. We work with these licensed physicians every day and we know what they are capable of doing and not doing to protects their orifices. He would say in court in a New York Minute that the nurse should have trained the CMA or observed for the patient's reaction. Suddenly, then, the CMA will fall under the scope of a nurse...when it is convienent for that doctor. And, many physicians may not even really look under the scope of practice of the CMA; they may just want a quick fix by hiring someone who is trained to do what he says, but not taking in all that this can encompass when a nurse gets involved.

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Specializes in Home health.

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medical assistants are not allowed to chart pupillary responses! nor are they allowed to read, interpret or diagnose symptoms or test results.

today, i had my tb test read by an ma (yes she stated it was "negative") and she documented it as such. this is at a pre-employment "wellness" clinic that the hospital i am going to work for uses for physicals and injuries.there are no licensed nurses working there only the ma's and the doctors. i would imagine this clinic has been allowing the ma's to do this for quite awhile.

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Specializes in LTC.

Well said, my friend. Please note that none of us here besmirch your knowledge nor what your state allows within its borders.

I do truly believe that ALL states should come together an decide, once and for all, the boundaries and scope(s) of practice for ALL medical personnel, from CNA on through to NP.

Just my :twocents:. I will, most likely, be long passed away before that happens, though.

Regards,

Michael

Well this website was written by a webdesigner and is not accurate for all 50 States. Before reponding, I did check the AK statutes and Administrative Code to verify....Under the direction of a physician we can insert urinary catheters, and start, apply tubing, and administer medication with physicians orders. It simply states that a LNP, RN, or an LPN, LVN, can not supervise or delegate such tasks to us. A physician however can. Alaska is different from many states....more than I realized.

I would like to comment that with everything this conversation has brought to light...I do agree that a CMA is by no means an RN. CMA's and LVN, LPN's are similiar and their roles cross, but there are some differences as well. I also agree that Medical Assisting needs to be organized across the nation considering that we hold national certification if one is chosen to be persued. I can say for a fact that there are none of the three month $300 MA programs here in AK. Currently there are 3 programs for CMA's and they are run by ACIS accredidated Colleges. All three programs have certificates at the completion of the program and Certification for those programs is manditory through the NCCT. The three schools here are University of Alaska Anchorage, Career Academy, and Charter College.

I respect all of you for your comments and your knowledge. It has forced me to take the knowledge I have been working under into action to verify for myself what I am allowed to do legally in my state and what I am not allowed to do. THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT! Information is always a benefit to those that seek it and I am sure that the forum owners had this in mind when they created this community. All of you in the health care field whatever medium your education provides you do what you do well.

:yeah::twocents:

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Specializes in LTC.
Before nursing school I was a CMA in California and we were allowed to administer narcotics under the directions of a physician, I have injections for Demerol and stadol for migraine patients all the time. It was IM of course, we can't do any I.V. We couldn't give epinephrine though.

Wow.

I'm stunned. :eek:

As I said before (in a previous posting), I worked as a CNA in California for almost a decade, and no one EVER allowed me to inject any patient with anything. I'm jealous.

Regards,

Michael

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Specializes in LTC.
found this interesting . it came off the alaska board of nursing site....

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pub/nursingfaqs_delegation.pdf

thank you from this 15 yr lpn that pretty much sums up this misunderstanding for me:bow:. now i wonder if the person who started this thread has ever seen this or even attempted to find it.:yeah:

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Specializes in LTC.
DANG EVERYBODY---CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?!?!? :banghead:

If you don't like the conversation I'm sorry but the consensus is that CMA's are not licensed professionals:nurse:. I do not see any where in this thread where people are not getting along.:yawn: IT'S CALLED A DISCUSSION!!!!!!!!!!!!:typing

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Whether or not an associates degree is award for ether LPN or MA is largely on completing the general studies requirement about 30 semester units and then the rest of the credits in the major. You can even get a AS in general studies ( ie random courses that make up to 60 units)

A MA with and associates doesn't mean they are better equiped to a task than a lpn without.

That would be like saying a Nurse with a PhD outranks a Dr who while have a medical degree don't have a PhD

Its all about scope of practice.

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you r right but to compare a CNA to an CMA is no way out of rage..not to say they aren't great but what CNA u kno have an ASS. degree and still practice CNA

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Well, I may be a bit off course here, but you are not a nurse. You can not compare your education ( which by the way, congrats on that) to that of a nurse. Unless you have went to a school for nursing, and passed your boards to become a LPN or a RN, you are NOT in any way, shape, or form a nurse.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

I have an associates and will soon be a CNA. So that would be one. I don't mean offend you as you must be proud of graduating with a an associates but you have to look at the scope of your major and how it compares with what a CNA and MA are asked do.

Both are unlicensed which gives both titles leeway and limitations vs a LPN/LVN.

This is not intended to be mean but your arguments would hold more weight if clearly worded.

Congrats on your graduation.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
I have an associates and will soon be a CNA. So that would be one. I don't mean offend you as you must be proud of graduating with a an associates but you have to look at the scope of your major and how it compares with what a CNA and MA are asked do.

Both are unlicensed which gives both titles leeway and limitations vs a LPN/LVN.

This is not intended to be mean but your arguments would hold more weight if clearly worded.

Congrats on your graduation.

I agree 100%. Education is something to be proud of, so be proud- dont try to be something you arent. A MA, CMA, RMA, or whatever, just isnt and never will be a nurse. But be proud because you have accomplished something. why be ashamed and try to say you are something you are not??

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

well this has got very interesting since i was last here....

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