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

[able2009]

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.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

My CNA experience came in handy the first clinical rotation I experienced. The first was a basic beginning hands on and getting comfortable with basic cares. When IV's started though, I was a fish out of water so to speak. Although I was very comfortable being around patients and machines that go beep in the night, my confidence wasn't as high because I had no experience starting IV's or priming the pumps.

[able2009]

Do techs do IV's?

[Atheos]

That I couldn't tell you but I seriously doubt it.

Maybe the techs here that are required to EMTs or Paramedics. NOt sure. I have never personally been a tech.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Nope, not here in WI unless your EMT in an ambulance. I wish I could have learned though, the only practice I had was on my hubby and a fake rubber arm......the horror......

[mizfradd, CNA]

having worked as a tech for several yrs., i have never heard of a tech being allowed to do i.v.'s....and in some states even lpn's aren't allowed to do i.v.'s.

cma's are on par (somewhat) with lpn's but in my experiences, lpn's are trained to do more procedures than a cma, even though cma's have a diffrerent degree, (at least in my state they do) which is a 2 yr. associates degree and an lpn has to have 1275 hrs. (might vary in other states) of instruction before taking an exam to get licensure.

honestly, the only difference i've noticed between the two (again, this is just in my experience) is that cma's are trained in a few simple methods of x-ray which an lpn is not usually trained for at all.

i've never seen an cma employed by the hospitals i've worked for...only lpn's, pct's & cna's. a lot of cma's work in labs or dr. offices.

to confuse things even more just kidding is the fact that i'm also a cma which is to say, i'm a certified medication aide, but in some states we are referred to as cmt's which stands for certified medication tech.

don't ya just love all the acronyms nowadays?! :chuckle

good luck in your endeavors!

[able2009]

Thanks. What are typical work/shift hours for CNA's and Techs?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Thanks. What are typical work/shift hours for CNA's and Techs?

It varies greatly from facilty. Many places are flexible. When I was a tech, we worked 4, 8, 12, and 16 hr shifts.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

In hospitals you typically find Days, PM's or NOC's (nights). Days may run 7am-3pm, Pm's from 3-11:30, and NOC's from 11-7am. Of course some places will work with your schedule or hours may vary.....

[edisongirl25]

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

Depends on the hospital. I was a PCT but I was never a CNA. Our hospital let us work as a PCT after we finished our first semester of nursing school. A PCT/PCA are just different names for the same thing. CNA's usually can't do as much, so most hospitals give a 2-3 day course for the differences such as putting in foley's and removing them and taking out IV catherters and several other different tasks.

[gdsgrl]

I live in OH and here CMA's work more in Dr Office or clinic. They don't make what an LPN does, but an LPN is licensed, an MA Certified. However, an MA can give injections, and CNA, PCT, cannot. I worked 8 years in Dr Offices as a CMA and I loved it. The schedule was wonderful, didn't have to clean up any nasty messes like a CNA or tech does in the hospital. I had to leave that job due to my school schedule, I work PRN in the hospital, make less money, clean up yuckie stuff, no injections, no pt teaching etc like in the office. But I do get to put in Foley's (good learning) check Blood sugars- bed baths- pass water. Both are good experience if you are going into nursing. I learned lots from both jobs. The CMA was definitely a "cleaner" job.