Deep Dive, CNA to MA Differences and Similarities

Date: December 1, 2022

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant, and what is a Medical Assistant? They can sometimes be referred to in the same places of work and for some of the same duties. This article takes a deep dive into their key similarities and differences. It may even offer more information than you knew was possible. 

Wages/Salaries

CNA, MA Basic Requirements

CNA, MA Education

 Training Lengths

Common Professional Requests, Recommendations

Certifying Agencies

Certification and or Licensing

In California, CNAs are certified and hold a Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health.¹²

By contrast, Medical Assistants are not required to be licensed or certified by the State of California. (MAs nationwide are not licensed.)¹³ However, the medical assistant’s employer or supervising physician’s or podiatrist’s malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by an association^{.13, 14}

Several certifying agencies for MAs include the American Association of Medical Assistants National Center for Competency Testing, the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA), and the National Health Career Association. 

What Does it Take to Go From a CNA to an MA?

Some schools offer CNA–MA bridge programs with accelerated curriculums. A bridge can truncate the route from CNA (approximately 12 weeks) to MA (usually eight (8) months*). 

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts strives to empower graduates to join one of the most in-demand careers in the growing healthcare field. Our course load is a blended program comprising residential and online courses and labs, including hands-on demonstrations. Whereby students practice and become adept at various clinical skills, including: 

• • Patient Education;
    
  • Phlebotomy;
  • First Aid. 

Preparation is given to instilling adherence to professional standards, incorporating the legal and ethical responsibilities of the profession. Ultimately students are prepared to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA-NHA) and Certified EKG Technician (CET-NHA) national exams.
*30 approved instructional weeks

Scopes of Practice Expanded

1. What are Medical Assistants not allowed to do?

Within California, the following are considered invasive procedures and not within a Medical Assistant’s scope of practice.¹⁵  California Medical Assistants cannot do the following procedures:

• Start or disconnect IVs or administer injections or medication into an IV;
• Chart pupillary responses;
• Read, interpret, or diagnose symptoms or test results;
• Insert urine catheters.¹⁵

2. Can Medical Assistants draw blood?

Yes. According to the American Board of California, Medical Assistants with the proper training “may perform venipuncture or skin puncture to withdraw blood.”¹⁶  

3. Can Medical Assistants prescribe medicine?

No. Within California, Medical Assistants may call in already prescribed refills to a pharmacy under the direct supervision of the physician or podiatrist. The refill must be exact, have no changes in the dosage levels, and be documented in the patient’s chart as a standing order. Medical Assistants may not call in new prescriptions or those that have any changes.^{1 7}

4. Can Medical Assistants give immunizations?

According to the Medical Board of California, if the Medical Assistant has undergone the appropriate training, they can administer scheduled drug injections once the licensed person has verified the correct medication and dosage and the injection is intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous. The supervising physician or podiatrist must be on the premises. (Business and Professions Codes, section 2069.)¹⁸ 

5. What are Medical Assistants not allowed to do?

Medical assistants may not diagnose, treat or perform any invasive task or requires an assessment.¹⁹ A compiled list by the Medical “Board of California states the following items NOT under the preview of an MA’s scope:

• Place a needle, start, or disconnect the infusion tube of an IV.
  
• Administer medications or injections into an IV line.
• Calculate a new serum dilution. 
• Chart pupillary responses. 
• Conduct subjective refraction of a person’s eyes. 
• Insert urine catheters.
• Obtain urine samples from indwelling urinary catheters.
  Perform telephone triage.
• Inject collagen or Botox.
• Use lasers, intense light devices, or radiofrequency devices.
• Perform chemical peels or microdermabrasion.
• Administer chemotherapy.
• Apply orthopedic splints.
• Interpret results of skin, lab, or pregnancy tests.
• Administer allergy skin tests.
• Cauterize a wound.
• Perform a wound check or assess the site or make any determination.
• Perform debridement or removal of eschar in wound care.
• Administer any kind of anesthetic agent. 
• Mix or compound any medications. 
• Suture. 
• Collect nasopharyngeal swabs. 
• Apply an Unna boot. 
• Administer oxygen to patients. 
• Determine that a test is required. 
• Perform sclerotherapy.¹⁹

Want More Information About Our MA Program?

More information about Medical Assistants is available on the Board’s website.  Additionally, you may find information about our Medical Assistant programs by clicking here.~ 

Citations:
^{1^a, b} “Nursing Assistants.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics. March 21, 2022. (Accessed October 27, 2022.)
^{2^a, b}  “Medical Assistants.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “US Bureau of Labor Statistics.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021. (Accessed October 31, 2022.)
^{3 ^a, b, c, d} “How to Become a CNA in California.” NAHCA|the CNA Association, National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), 2021. (Accessed October 27, 2022.)
^{4 ^a, b, c, d}  “Certification Requirements.” The California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants, Medical Board of California Approved Medical Assistant Certifying Agency, 2021. (Accessed Oct. 31, 2022.)
^{5^ a, b}  Health, Clipboard. “How to Become a CNA in California.” Clipboard Health, Joint Commission. July 27, 2020. (Accessed October 28, 2022.)
^{6^a, b, c} “FAQs|MBC.” CA.Gov, Medical Board of California, 2022. (Accessed Oct. 31, 2022.)
^{7^a, b, c, d, e} “FAQs|MBC.” CA.Gov, Medical Board of California, 2022. (Accessed Oct. 31, 2022.)
^{8 ^a, b, c, d} Health, Clipboard. “How to Become a CNA in California.” Clipboard Health, Joint Commission. July 27, 2020. (Accessed Oct. 28, 2022.)
^{9 ^a, b, c, d}  CMA Today. “Back in Business Hire the Best Medical Assistants for the Practice.” Practice Manager. Volume 54, Issue 1, Jan/Feb 2021.
¹⁰ “Professional Certification Branch.” Www.cdph.ca.gov, State of California. (Accessed Nov. 14, 2022.)
¹¹ “Home.” The California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants, California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants, 2021, ccbma.org/. (Accessed Nov. 14, 2022.)
¹² “Certified Nursing Assistant (8185)–CalHR.” California Department of Human Resources, California Department of Public Health, CA. Gov. Oct. 4, 2017. (Accessed Nov. 3, 2022.)
^{13^a, b} “Frequently Asked Questions|MBC.” Ca.gov. Medical Board of California, 2022. (Accessed Nov. 2, 2022.)
^14“AAMA-FAQs on Medical Assisting.” American Association of Medical Assistants. (Accessed Nov. 2, 2022.)
^{15 ^a  b} “FAQs|MBC.” Medical Board of California. Ca.gov. The state of California. (Accessed April 26, 2022.)
¹⁶ “FAQs|MBC.” Www.mbc.ca.gov, State of California Health Board. (Accessed  May 10, 2022.)
¹⁷ “FAQs|MBC.” Medical Board of California. Ca.gov. The State of California. (Accessed April 26, 2022.)
¹⁸ “FAQs|MBC.” Medical Board of California. Ca.gov. The State of California. (Accessed April 26, 2022.)
^{19^a, b} “Medical Assistants Scope of Practice Clarified.” MA Scope of Practice, Medical Board of California, 2015. (Accessed November 4, 2022.) 

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