Question.....I'm kind of confused

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I posted something similar to this a few weeks ago, but I came across something that made me confused again. I'm wondering what the difference is between a patient care assistant (PCA), a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a patient care technician (PCT), and a certified medical assistant (CMA) or (MA). I've had people say that they're the same and it depends on location and hospital. So my location is Atlanta, Ga and I've come across a school that has a PCA, PCT, and MA courses and none of the classes are the same for these seperate courses. I'm wondering which pays more and what the difference is if anyone knows. Thanks.

P.S....in addition to which pays more which would be best to go for if I want to get basic knowledge and skills for the nursing field. I was hoping to become one of those while I go to school for prerequisits for the RN program. Thanks. Your info is much appreciated.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

a cna is a certified nursing assistant. In this position, you can work in long term care, hospital, or group home and usually homecare.

A pca is a patient care assistant. Many times this is a cna as well. Sometimes though, pca's don't need to be certified and can work in group homes.

A tech is usually a cna who has more training. I was a pt tech and worked in ICU. My duties included ekg's, monitoring telementary, and normal cna duties. Usually, you start as a cna and gain some experience before moving into this spot

a cma is a certified medical assistant. The best way to explain this would be duties similar to a LPN. Many cma's work in clinics. When you go to the doc for a check up, most of the time either a lpn or cma will be the ones taking your vitals and helath history etc.

In my opinion, a cma would probably make the most starting salary.

I hope this helps a bit

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Do you know how long I'd have to be a CNA before I can be tech? And thank you for your info.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I was a cna for about 7 yrs before I became a tech. But, the amount of time I spent as a cna shouldn't weigh on how long it actually would take. I spent time working on psych, ortho rehab, and general med surg before going to ICU. I doubt it would actaully take someone that long though. I would think at least 1 year in med surg and then you'd be competing against anyone else who would apply for the postition.

That may not be how it really is though. I remember they wanted at least 1 yr med surge.

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In many places CMAs make the same as CNAs or less.

In my location the PCTs make more than CMAs and on are on par with experienced CNAs.

A CMA isn't really the same as a LPN but they ARE sometimes used in doctor's offices in the same capacity. LPNs ultimately can do way more and get paid way more (at least here as far as pay goes) than CMAs.

I've known a few techs that got the job right out of school.

Also, here some tech positions require you to have EMT or Paramedic training.

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How much did you make and hour as a cna and as a tech, if you don't mind me asking.

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Here in VA I made 14.75 while I was a plain old CNA and 17ish on the weekends.

My roomie that's a tech just started at 15.75. First time as a tech.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I'm in Wisconsin and have never seen a LPN make alot more than a CMA especially if they were both applying at a clinic. I have also never seen a CMA working on a general floor of a hospital, again I'm in WI and many hospitals don't work with CMA's. I graduated with my LPN and have continued on to get my RN. One job interview I had would hire me or a CMA for the same wage (about $7-8 more than a CNA), and the other one was in a hospital for about $6 more per hour than a cna would start as (no CMA's employed there).

I guess you should check out your area and talk to the advisors at school. It seems to be different from state to state.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.
How much did you make and hour as a cna and as a tech, if you don't mind me asking.

When I began as a CNA, I made $6.27 per hr (back in 1991). Now it would be anywhere from 8-19 per hr (the $19 is a union ltc, no bennies but 1 yr experience required)

My tech position started at $12 back in 1997, not sure what it's up to now.

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I'm in Wisconsin and have never seen a LPN make alot more than a CMA especially if they were both applying at a clinic.

Yeah, in a clinic they would be about the same but LPNs are also in LTC where they usually make way more than in a clinic.

It does vary by state though. I still see CNAs making anywhere from 8-20.

LPNs I have seen from 15-28.

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Thank you all for your info, its very helpful. If any of you are an RN did you find being a CNA or a Tech first helpful for you during clinicals and transtioning to RN status? Does being a CNA make it easier to become an RN and gain the basic nursing skills?

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Being a CNA has helped in clinicals a bit but really there is a lot of stuff I didn't know.

I'd say it only helps as far as ADL skills go but not with anything else.

Of course I am still a student.

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