What’s the Difference Between Medical Assistants and Licensed Practical Nurses?
Do you ever wish there was a little more obvious way to distinguish America’s health care professionals from one another? Before the new trend of wearing coordinated scrubs in neon colors and festive patterns, nurses wore all white and it was hard to tell one from the other.
WHY PEOPLE MISTAKE ONE FOR THE OTHER?
There are several reasons the general public confuse MAs and LPNs, mainly because many of their job duties overlap.Both professionals function under the direct supervision of either a Physician and/or a Registered Nurse.
MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
While this list is no means exhaustive:
- LPNs can administer meds through an IV (if they are certified). A Medical Assistant must administer through an injection ordered by a doctor.
- Medical Assistants are trained to draw blood, while LPNs administer medication, provide wound care, change dressings, perform catheterizations and collaborate with the health care team to develop a plan of care.
- Medical Assistants are trained thoroughly in front-office procedures such as recording medical histories, vital statistics and test results in medical records. LPN’s are not.
- MAs interview patients to obtain their medical history versus an LPN, who responds to patient calls and assisting with daily life activities
CERTIFICATIONS MAKES DIFFERENCE
Certification is another area of difference. In many states, MAs can but are not required to have a certification to practice. Many practices train MAs on the job and therefore are not held to any governing standard. An LPN, on the other hand, requires documentation of completion of an approved Practical or Vocational Nursing Program and successful passage of the NCLEX.
HOW SHOULD STUDENTS MAKE DECISIONS?
Students should ask what I want to do or what my passion is? They should understand what each job entails in day-to-day activities.
Typically, Medical Assistants are at the front end of patient care prior to a hospitalization. Medical Assistants are trained in all areas of the typical doctor’s office, so we can do front- or back-office skills or both. LPNs typically care for a patient in long-term facilities or in-patient care within a hospital.
So, if the student is not someone who likes being at work at 6:30 a.m. and does not like working 12-hours shifts, LPN might not be the program for them. MA may be a better alternative.
Squeamish stomach? MA might be more up your alley. Looking to expand your education? Its LPN that it’s the often times the first rung on a higher ladder of success.
