CNA vs CMA: Discover the Key Differences in Healthcare

What is the Difference Between a CNA and a CMA?

When one considers a career in healthcare, one of the most obvious choices is a vocation where he or she would work with patients. What is the difference between a CNA and a CMA? Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant are probably two of the first vocations that come to mind. Despite being associated with working in healthcare and dealing with patients, the two vocations have very little in common or should I say differences, such as job’s education and duties, work environment and job’s perspective. Below, I will list and discuss the differences between a CNA and a CMA. This information will help one make a well-informed choice when choosing to pursue a career in one or another specialization. Here are the differences.

What is CNA?

Certified Nursing Assistant, also known as a CNA, is one of the most essential people when it comes to healthcare. They provide the most direct care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and care facilities, and even people’s homes. They are usually the first to get in touch with the patient and assist with such daily activities as bathing, dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. They are part of the caregiving team, who work with nurses and doctors and help monitor a patient’s health.

CNA’s Major Responsibilities Include:

• Personal Care: As stated above, Certified Nursing Assistants help patients with activities of daily living.
• Vital Signs: They also check vital signs, such as blood pressure or pulse, temperature, and respiration rate.
• Assisting with Mobility: CNAs help the patient move and turn a bedridden patient over, walk, etc.
• Monitor the Patient: CNAs are responsible for observing any changes in the patient's condition and notifying the nursing staff.

Conclusion from the above is that a CNA is the caregiver that works directly with the patient and is the very first one to notice something changes and, what’s even more important, report that.

What is CMA?

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), however, is usually employed in medical offices, ambulatory care clinics, and occasionally hospitals. CMAs help physicians and other healthcare providers in both medical and administrative tasks. They have a broader range of duties than a CNA because they are responsible for both clinical and administrative tasks, meaning their role as an employee is essential to the healthcare team.

Key CMA Responsibilities:

• Types of Work:
  • Clinical Tasks: Active in taking patient history, checking vitals, preparing the patient for examination or minor surgery/procedures.
  • Administrative Work: CMAs are responsible for various to-dos, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient information, filing insurance claims, and billing.
  • Practice in the Lab: In some cases, CMAs draw blood, do EKGs and even help with diagnostic tests.
  • Patient Support: In addition to performing medical procedures, CMAs also offer patient counseling and assistance through the recovery process.

CNA vs CMA: Job Duties Compared

What You Will Do In the Working Environment:

Here, we summarize the care performed for both CNA and CMA in a table.

Both CNAs and CMAs care for patients, but the type of work they perform differs greatly.

CNA Daily Tasks:

• CNAs tend to patients’ hands-on personal needs, including bathing, grooming, and helping them in and out of bed.
• They also spend more time in direct contact with patients, particularly once patients need constant assistance in long-term-care facilities or hospitals.

CMA Daily Tasks:

• CMAs also work in clinical settings where they give injections, help doctors realize medical procedures, and interview patients.
• CMAs also oversee the administrative side, including booking patient appointments and maintaining medical records.

Salary Comparison: CNA vs CMA

In terms of pay, there is a clear gap between CNAs and CMAs, due to the amount of responsibilities, education, and training needed.

CNA Salary:

His salary expectation should fall between $28k-$40k a year which is the typical CNA pay. But this can differ based on location, years of experience, and work setting in healthcare.

CMA Salary:

CMAs make approximately between $35,000-50,000 per year. Since a CMA has the job of being both a clinical and administrative assistant, they are generally going to make more than a CNA.

Which Pays More?

In general, CMAs make more than CNAs because the role comes with more specialized skills and responsibilities. But salaries might be different in your geographic area and based on experience.

Education and Certification Requirements

The training and certification requirements vary greatly between CNAs and CMAs, although they do overlap.

CNA Education:

• Becoming a CNA requires completion of a state-approved training program, which usually takes between four weeks and 12 weeks.
• Upon completion of the training program, CNAs need to pass a certification exam in order to become licensed to work in their state.
• CNAs also are required to re-certify periodically by completing continuing education.

CMA Education:

• Most people will need to attend a 1-2 year program at a postsecondary school. This training consists of theoretical education, as well as on-site clinical practice.
• Upon successful program completion, candidates need to pass the CMA exam in order to be certified.
• Certification renewal every 5 years, so starting from the date of passing your CMA exam, you must also satisfy continuing education requirements to maintain good standing.

Work Environments: CNA vs CMA

The places of work for CNAs and CMAs are so varied that they affect the daily activities and job satisfaction.

CNA Work Environments:

• CNAs usually work in a facility that requires direct hands-on patient care, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
• Some CNAs are also employed in home health care, visiting patients' homes and providing them assistance with daily living activities.

CMA Work Environments:

• CMAs are employed mainly in physician offices, outpatient clinics, and specialty health care centers.
• They can also work in hospitals too, but typically their role is a little bit more clinical and administrative based.

Career Growth and Job Outlook

Both jobs look to have favorable job outlooks since the aging population and growing need for healthcare services is increasing demand for healthcare workers.

CNA Job Outlook:

• Employment of CNAs is projected to increase 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
• CNAs may also pursue career advancement as LPNs or RNs with additional training and experience.

CMA Job Outlook:

• CMA job outlook is also incredibly strong, at a rate of 18% growth from 2020 to 2030.
• CMAs can specialize in cardiology, pediatrics, or phlebotomy and advance into office management or supervisory roles.

Skills Required to Be a CNA vs. a CMA

Both CNAs and CMAs utilize a different skill set in their positions.

CNA Skills:

• Compassion and Patience: Since CNAs give care to very sick individuals, they should be patient and compassionate as well.
• Physical Endurance: This position requires a great degree of physical stamina, because CNAs are often required to remain on their feet for long stretches of time and must sometimes aid patients in being mobile.
• Attention to Detail: Paying close attention to vital signs and noticing any deviance from normal.

CMA Skills:

• Clinical Knowledge: CMAs should be familiar with medical terminology, the human body, and office procedures.
• Multitasking: Because CMAs do both clinical and administrative work, they have to multitask.
• People Skills: The ability to interact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare staff is crucial for CMAs.

Can a CNA Become a CMA?

Yes, a CNA can become a CMA but would need further education and certification to do so. They can use their patient care background when pursuing a CMA program, but they must also complete a postsecondary program in medical assisting and earn CMA certification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is higher, CMA or CNA?

With a few exceptions, CMAs often earn more and have greater variety of job duties than CNAs.

What is the difference between a CNA and a CMA?

That depends on your career aspirations. CNAs are involved with patient care, and CMAs also have additional clinical and administrative duties.

Can a CMA work as a CNA?

A CMA may serve in a CNA role if their credentials and training allow, but they are not trained for the same responsibilities.

Conclusion

If you’re trying to decide whether a career as a CNA or CMA is better for you, the right choice will depend on your interests, preferred work environment, and overall career goals. CNAs specialize in providing direct patient care from hospitals to long-term care, whereas CMAs are responsible for clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices/clinics. Competitive salaries, good job prospects, and opportunities for advancement are available in both positions.

If you need help determining which route to take, or if you’re in need of home care, Cottage Home Care Services can be there to assist. Discover your choices today, visit us at Cottage Home Care Services, or call us at 516-367-2266, or email us at info@cottagehomecare.com.