nursing positions

CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse

RN - Registered Nurse

I have heard of Medical Assistant, and I believe it is the same as a CNA. Training will vary state to state. Also there is specialized training, such as Medication Nurse or IV Nurse, all require certifications, and again, it varies state to state.

Safest bet to be sure, call the Nursing Board in your state.

Hi, Im new here and am being discharged from the navy of 6 yrs of service and would like to enroll into an LPN program. I am currently waiting on my medical assistant license to be mailed. If anyone could answer this question, i would be greatful......

could anyone tell me the order that medical positions rank?

such as...is an stna the same as a med asst, or is either one higher then the other. I am trying to find a job and do not want to apply for the wrong postion especially if i am overqualified. my med asst license is from the national registry of med assts.....

thank you for reading.......

lillady:)

CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant

LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse

RN - Registered Nurse

I have heard of Medical Assistant, and I believe it is the same as a CNA. Training will vary state to state. Also there is specialized training, such as Medication Nurse or IV Nurse, all require certifications, and again, it varies state to state.

Safest bet to be sure, call the Nursing Board in your state.

Actually, a Medical Assistance has the same standing as an LPN level.

Wow, are they licensed? What state do they use MA's in?

Actually, a Medical Assistance has the same standing as an LPN level.

I was curious and did some research, there is a website for MA's, http://www.aama-ntl.org/# and this is the duty description.

So... what do Certified Medical Assistants actually do?

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.

Administrative duties may include...

• Using computer applications
  
• Answering telephones
  
• Greeting patients
  
• Updating and filing patient medical records
  
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
  
• Scheduling appointments
  
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
  
• Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping
  

Clinical duties vary by state and include...

• Taking medical histories
  
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
  
• Preparing patients for examination
  
• Assisting the physician during the exam
  
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
  
• Performing basic laboratory tests
  
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
  
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
  
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
  
• Drawing blood
  
• Taking electrocardiograms
  
• Removing sutures and changing dressings
  

You must accomplish two things to become a CMA.

First, graduate from an accredited medical assisting program. This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Second, pass the AAMA CMA Certification Examination. This test is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Wow, are they licensed? What state do they use MA's in?

I am receiving it through the american registry of med asst's.

Wow, are they licensed? What state do they use MA's in?

Wow, are they licensed? What state do they use MA's in?

Medical Assistance are licensed in most States and work in a variety of places. Most of the CMA's that I know work in physician's offices.

I was curious and did some research, there is a website for MA's, http://www.aama-ntl.org/# and this is the duty description.

So... what do Certified Medical Assistants actually do?

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) have a great amount of variety in their jobs and are cross-trained to perform many administrative and clinical duties. Of course, duties vary from office to office depending on location, size and specialty.

Administrative duties may include...

• Using computer applications
  
• Answering telephones
  
• Greeting patients
  
• Updating and filing patient medical records
  
• Coding and filling out insurance forms
  
• Scheduling appointments
  
• Arranging for hospital admissions and laboratory services
  
• Handling correspondence, billing and bookkeeping
  

Clinical duties vary by state and include...

• Taking medical histories
  
• Explaining treatment procedures to patients
  
• Preparing patients for examination
  
• Assisting the physician during the exam
  
• Collecting and preparing laboratory specimens
  
• Performing basic laboratory tests
  
• Instructing patients about medication and special diets
  
• Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
  
• Authorizing prescription refills as directed
  
• Drawing blood
  
• Taking electrocardiograms
  
• Removing sutures and changing dressings
  

You must accomplish two things to become a CMA.

First, graduate from an accredited medical assisting program. This program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Second, pass the AAMA CMA Certification Examination. This test is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Excellent post - thanks for doing this footwork!

CNA

Medical Assistant

LPN

RN

Someone posted above that a medical assistant and an LPN are at the same level and this is not true. Medical Assistants are usually limited to only working in clinics. They give medications, do vital signs and get medical histories. They may even assist with minor surgeries in the clinic. As an LPN you can work in a clinic, hospital, or convalescent home. LPN's give medications, do IV's, put in foley catheters and can actually take on a patient load in the hospital. As as LPN I have worked Family Practice, Urgent Care, Surgery Center and Labor & Delivery. I'm not trying to make waves here. I just feel that you were misinformed.