Determining whether to pursue a career as a Medical Assistant (CMA) or as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can be a daunting task for many individuals desiring to enter the medical profession. Many questions have to be answered such as what is the difference between the two professions, how does the training for each differ, and which profession offers better pay. In order to make a more informed decision, prospective students need to know the answers to these and other important career related questions.

One of the main differences between a Medical Assistant and a CNA is job responsibilities. CMA’s are primarily responsible for the administrative and clerical duties in various settings such as a physician’s office, outpatient clinic or other health care facility. A CMA’s duties can vary from office to office, but generally the responsibilities of a Medical Assistant include: updating patient files, completing insurance forms, answering telephones, scheduling appointments, and billing and bookkeeping. Certified Nursing Assistants typically work in a hospital setting and are involved with direct patient care. CNA’s assist patients with daily living tasks and basic personal care needs.

The training needed to become a CMA typically takes 1-2 years and can be completed at a postsecondary vocational school, community college or junior college. Medical assisting training programs completed in 1 year or less usually result in a certificate or diploma, while 2 year programs usually result in an associate degree. Typically, CMA training programs are longer than CNA training programs. CNA training programs vary in length but generally take 6-12 weeks to complete. These training programs result in a certificate and are usually completed at a community college or medical facility.

By law, Medical Assistants are not required to be certified or licensed. Many medical assisting students do become certified by attending a program that is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). A state certification exam is required to become a CNA, and regulations can vary from state-to-state.

CMA’s have more direct contact with the public in general, while CNA’s have more direct patient contact. While job duties differ, the pay for CMA’s and CNA’s is comparable and more experience translates to higher pay. The salary range for a CMA is between $22,000 and $28,000 per year, and the salary range for a CNA ranges from $23,000 to $30,000 annually.