Can a CNA work as a medical assistant?

A medical assistant is mostly a clerical and administrative role, while a CNA is a nursing role focused on assisting in patient care. The two medical positions require different kinds of education, background, and skills.

Though CNAs can easily qualify to perform the tasks of a medical assistant, because this role requires less medical knowledge and focuses more on:

• Scheduling

• Clerical

• Billing tasks

Medical assistants may be tasked with reaching out to patients to schedule appointments or follow-up care. Medical assistants also have a role in bookkeeping and billing. Most of their duties are performed at a desk in a medical facility.

A CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) is a trained and certified healthcare professional that assists nurses. CNAs are important positions in any hospital setting.

They have many responsibilities that make them an integral part of the patient process in healthcare. However, it is considered an entry-level position in the hospital environment. Primarily CNAs assist nurses in their daily duties and interactions with patients.

Here are the key differences between a CNA and a medical assistant:

• A medical assistant works primarily behind a desk or at a medical station and spends a lot of time on the phone

• CNAs assist nurses and doctors in patient care

• A medical assistant focuses on scheduling, clerical and billing tasks in a doctor's office

• A CNA is tasked with hands-on care with patients

• While a medical assistant interacts with patients, they do not provide medical care

• CNAs generally have higher salaries than medical assistants

• Medical assistants require less education and training than CNAs