7: Medical and Nursing Assistants

Overview of Medical Assistants and Employment Trends

  • Employment Growth and Outlook: Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects are expected to be excellent across the healthcare sector.

  • Primary Work Settings: More than half (50%) of all medical assistants are employed in the offices of physicians.

  • Training Pathways: Medical assistants enter the field through various routes; some receive on-the-job training, while many choose to complete postsecondary programs lasting between one and two years.

Role Recognition: Common Healthcare Careers Overview

  • Medical Assistants: Perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks in physician offices.

  • Nursing Assistants (CNAs): Provide direct care to patients under the supervision of RNs or LPNs.

  • Orderlies: Transport patients and assist with nonmedical care in a hospital setting.

  • Physician Assistants (PAs): Work under a physician’s supervision, performing exams, diagnosing illnesses, and providing treatments.

Common Settings and Who Works Where

  • Hospitals:

    • Physicians, PAs, RNs, nursing assistants, orderlies.

  • Clinics:

    • Medical assistants, nurse practitioners, PAs, and various specialists.

  • Private Practices:

    • Medical assistants and physicians.

  • Laboratories:

    • Lab technicians and phlebotomists.

  • Community Settings:

    • Public health workers, community health nurses, and health educators.

Education and Credentialing Basics

  • Medical Assistants: Typically complete one or two-year postsecondary programs.

  • Nursing Assistants: Required to complete a state-approved education program and pass a competency exam.

  • PAs: Must complete a master’s degree from an accredited program.

  • Certification: Often preferred by employers to ensure competence; examples include CMA and CCMA for medical assistants.

Licensure vs Certification

  • Licensure: A mandatory requirement to practice; often requires passing an exam (e.g., nursing licenses).

  • Certification: A voluntary credential that demonstrates proficiency in specific areas of healthcare; often preferred by employers to ensure standards are met.

Scope of Practice & Patient Safety Scenarios

  • Medical Assistant (MA): Can perform administrative tasks and assist in basic clinical duties, but cannot diagnose or prescribe medications.

  • Nursing Assistant (CNA): Provides direct care, helps with daily activities, and must report changes in patient conditions to RNs or LPNs.

  • Physician Assistant (PA): Can diagnose and treat illnesses under a physician’s supervision; must understand the limits of their scope compared to physicians and nurses.

  • Safety Escalation: In clinical scenarios, practitioners must know when to escalate care to a higher authority based on patient needs and safety concerns, particularly distinguishing between roles like RN, PA, and MA.