None of the Florida nurses could answer my question.I'll try here.

[MEDRULES]

I recently graduated from a tech school and received a diploma as a Medical Assistant. I submitted apps. to local hospitals in hopes of obtaining employment as a Patient Support Tech. Can you tell me, in detail, what the job duties include? Thanks. I figured I would ask a nurse..If anyone knows about hospitals and their functions, it would DEFINATELY be a nurse! :)

[MEDRULES]

Again, I took all of the courses, side by side, with those that went to the school for their CNA training, from begining to end. Practical and theory.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I too would be "grossly OVER qualified" to work in a position that takes 1 month of training versus 12 months.

So then why are you applying for it?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Certified nursing assistants are under the auspices of the board of nursing (in most states if not all) and are required to complete written & practical testing.

If as a medical assistant student you learned personal care skills (like bed baths, assisting patient's with mobility, making beds (occupied & unoccupied), bed pans & urinals etc.) I'd have to say that your program is unique.

Most MA programs teach office procedures like vital signs, front office & back office, possibly point of care testing & injections, glucose finger sticks (though many MD offices require MA's to have national certification before they permit them to do point of care testing & injections). Some programs cover ECG's and phlebotomy while other programs have ECG & phlebotomy as a separate course.

As stated earlier MA's usually work in an office setting under the direction of a licensed physician, while CNA's work in facilities under the direction of a licensed nurse. If you have completed the personal care skills, then you may be qualified for a patient care position in a hospital. You can always ask HR for a copy of the job description and qualifications.

[systoly]

Those darn Florida nurses. My guess is they could, they just didn't want to. You already applied for the position anyway.

[MEDRULES]

So then why are you applying for it?

It's irrelevant as to why I'm applying for it. I was making a response to your remark about not being qualified to do the work because I dont have a CNA cert., but one that supercedes it. And my analogy about a nurse not being qualified to work in a doctors office caught you off guard. You obviously caught on to what I was referencing to. i.e. a nurse is not a Medical Assistant, but QUALIFIES to work in a doctors office. Get over it.

[klone, MSN, RN]

It's irrelevant as to why I'm applying for it. I was making a response to your remark about not being qualified to do the work because I dont have a CNA cert., but one that supercedes it.

Uh, go back and reread my posts. NOWHERE did I say you weren't qualified because you don't have a CNA.

I said one doesn't "supercede" the other because they're not governed by the same overseeing body. It's comparing apples and oranges. Or maybe apples and avocados.

That would be like asking if an RN supercedes a respiratory therapist. One doesn't "outrank" the other because they're two different roles, governed by two different governing bodies. Some of their job duties may overlap, but that's about it.

I have nothing to "get over" but thanks for playing.

[MEDRULES]

Uh, go back and reread my posts. NOWHERE did I say you weren't qualified because you don't have a CNA.

I said one doesn't "supercede" the other because they're not governed by the same overseeing body. It's comparing apples and oranges. Or maybe apples and avocados.

That would be like asking if an RN supercedes a respiratory therapist. One doesn't "outrank" the other because they're two different roles, governed by two different governing bodies. Some of their job duties may overlap, but that's about it.

An RN does not take the exact courses that a resp. therapist would, from beginning to end. A medical assistant takes the CNA course SIDE by SIDE with the students taking the CNA course. Everything. It's just that a Med. Asst. continues and learns much, much more. (Having a bad day?)

[klone, MSN, RN]

You're missing my point.

Suffice it to say, as an MA, you are amply qualified to work in the capacity of a CNA.

Is that better?

Why one would WANT do be a CNA, when an MA would probably make more money and have a greater scope of practice, is beyond me, but whatever.

I'm having a fabulous day, thanks for asking! I'm going to see Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds tonight, and I have 8th row seats. I couldn't be in a better mood right now.

[MEDRULES]

Uh, go back and reread my posts. NOWHERE did I say you weren't qualified because you don't have a CNA.

I said one doesn't "supercede" the other because they're not governed by the same overseeing body. It's comparing apples and oranges. Or maybe apples and avocados.

That would be like asking if an RN supercedes a respiratory therapist. One doesn't "outrank" the other because they're two different roles, governed by two different governing bodies. Some of their job duties may overlap, but that's about it.

I have nothing to "get over" but thanks for playing.

You're missing my point.

Suffice it to say, as an MA, you are amply qualified to work in the capacity of a CNA.

Is that better?

Why one would WANT do be a CNA, when an MA would probably make more money and have a greater scope of practice, is beyond me, but whatever.

I'm having a fabulous day, thanks for asking! I'm going to see Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds tonight, and I have 8th row seats. I couldn't be in a better mood right now.

Keep telling yourself that...it might come true

[systoly]

klone,

I'm thinking those Florida nurses knew something you didn't.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Ayup. Ah well. Lesson learned.

[MEDRULES]

klone,

I'm thinking those Florida nurses knew something you didn't.

Thus thats why I asked a question. DUH!!