For example, licensed practical nurses can be employed in hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, assisted living homes, in private homes, in schools and in correctional facilities. In addition to more diverse settings, licensed practical nurses also have more diverse roles than medical assistants. Medical assistants and licensed practical nurses perform many patient care procedures and roles such as collecting laboratory specimens and changing dressings; they also care for all age groups of patients along the life span.
They collect data and information about the patient's physical and emotional health, their current complaints and concerns and they also perform some procedures and treatments like taking an electrocardiogram and administering some medications within their scope of practice and according to their education and competency validation in these areas.
Both licensed practical nurses and medical assistants are dependent practitioners who can only function and perform their roles under the supervision and guidance of a licensed healthcare provider. The primary differences between medical assistants and licensed practical nurses lie in the areas of clinical and clerical roles and responsibilities. Medical assistants play a more diverse and active role in terms of medical records, billing for insurance reimbursement, answering telephones and scheduling patient appointments, for example, and licensed practical nurses perform more direct patient care procedures than medical assistants.
For example, licensed practical nurses can start intravenous lines and administer intravenous medications in some states; they can irrigate and dress surgical wounds, they can perform ostomy care, they administer and provide tube feedings and they are also heavily involved in monitoring the patient's ongoing changes in terms of their physical and mental status and their activities of daily living including ambulation, bathing, ordered exercises, dressing and grooming. Training and education to become a licensed practical or licensed vocational school can be obtained in a community-based technical or vocational school, as well as in a college or university.
On the other hand, most states require little to no formal education for medical assistants. However, many prospective medical assistants choose to obtain a certification from a vocational school or university to increase hirability.
Part of this training is conducted in the classroom, but other aspects of the learning experience take place in a nursing laboratory or clinical setting, such as a hospital or nursing home.
This allows students to render nursing care under the direct supervision and guidance of a qualified nursing faculty member. However, the coursework then deviates into more assistance-based tasks like cardiopulmonary resuscitation, measuring vital signs, communication, laboratory testing, and other aspects of standard medical office procedures. The Medical Assistant track is a month diploma program. According to PracticalNursing. Medical Assistant Program Objective The Comprehensive Medical Assisting Program is designed to prepare students for successful careers as Medical Assistants with knowledge in pertinent aspects of the healthcare field.
Students will learn skills that prepare them to perform administrative and clinical duties required in the daily operation of a healthcare facility. Upon completion of the program and meeting all of the course requirements, students will receive a Comprehensive Medical Assisting diploma and will be prepared and eligible to submit their diploma and transcript to apply to take the national certification examination through The American Medical Technologists AMT.
The Diploma of Practical Nursing program is designed to prepare students for successful careers as a Licensed Practical Nurse with knowledge in pertinent aspects of the healthcare field. Students will learn skills that prepare them to perform patient care pertinent to entry-level into the nursing profession.
Successful completion of the national examination allows students to apply for licensure in their respective state. Submit a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Request More Info Apply Now. LPN Practical Nursing?
What is a Practical Nurse? Most employers require either an associate's degree in medical assisting or a medical assistant certification. Depending on the program you choose, this can take from only a few weeks to up to two years. The amount of education you have can have an impact on what clinical tasks you qualify to do.
LPNs need to earn a nursing diploma to become licensed, which typically involves a year-long postsecondary program. You can also take an accelerated program and become an LPN in under nine months, or attend school part-time over the course of two years.
After graduating, LPNs take a licensing exam in their state that they need to renew every two years through continuing education credits. One of the major differences between medical assistants and LPNs is their earning potential. Because LPNs are licensed nurses, they typically earn higher salaries than medical assistants. LPNs also tend to have more opportunities to earn additional income through overtime shifts. Once you've decided to pursue a career in the healthcare field, it's time to narrow down your choices to a specific job.
If you're trying to decide between becoming a medical assistant and an LPN, take these steps to make the best choice for you:. One of the most informative ways to learn about career paths is to spend time shadowing professionals in that field.
Ask to spend a day shadowing a nurse or a medical assistant, or reach out to local clinics asking to interview people in each role about their experience. Understanding how LPNs and medical assistants spend their typical days from start to finish can help you decide if one job aligns better with your interests. Research nursing and medical assistant programs in your area to gather information about the potential cost of gaining the required education in each field.
Consider how much you're willing to spend on your education, factoring in scholarship opportunities and financial aid. Getting an LPN degree is typically more expensive than getting certified as a medical assistant, but this can vary.
Decide what is most important to you in a healthcare career and make a list of your top priorities. Medical assistants and LPNs each have their own benefits and drawbacks that have varying levels of significance based on your own personal values and career priorities.
For example, if you're passionate about working directly with patients, becoming an LPN could provide you with more caregiving opportunities than becoming a medical assistant. If you want a job with a consistent schedule and a better work-life balance, medical assisting might be the better option compared to the busy and unpredictable schedule of many LPNs. Think about your long-term career goals in addition to your short-term employment needs.
LPNs have a strong nursing background that makes it simple for them to become RNs or nurse practitioners and pursue advanced nursing roles. Medical assistants can use their clinical and clerical experience to consider careers in healthcare administration careers. While medical assistants can always seek out additional education to switch to a nursing path, planning out your career ahead of time can save you time and money as you gain the necessary qualifications.
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