If you’re thinking about pursuing a medical profession, you may be considering becoming a medical assistant or physician assistant. While these sound like they should be very similar, they are actually quite different. Show
A medical assistant is a healthcare worker who helps a doctor with tasks such as basic assessments and bedside procedures. They perform all of their work with direct supervision from a physician and usually work in clinics or doctors office. A physician assistant is a medical provider who can diagnose and treat illnesses. They work in almost any healthcare setting including in hospitals assisting with surgeries and working in critical care departments. Some states allow them to prescribe medications without the approval of a physician and are similar to a doctor in many ways. It requires much more education to become a physician assistant—including a bachelor’s degree and physician assistant program. Medical assistants, on the other hand, just require a high school diploma or GED and, sometimes, a certificate program that takes less than a year to complete. This guide goes over key differences between medical assistants and physician assistants to help you decide which is the right career for you. Medical Assistant vs Physician Assistants OverviewThough both are medical professions, there are key differences and similarities between the two. Medical assisting is more of an entry-level medical position. Medical assistants help with basic and non-invasive tasks such as taking vital signs and preparing rooms for patients. Becoming a medical assistant does not require an advanced degree. Physicians Assistants are advanced-care providers that can perform more complex procedures, make diagnoses, and create treatment plans for patients. Becoming a physician assistant requires years of training and clinical hours, and they have a broad scope of practice.
Medical Assistant OverviewMedical assistants typically work in doctors offices and clinics. Their work includes both clinical tasks like taking vital signs and removing stitches, and administrative tasks like scheduling appointments. Medical assistants typically work 40-hour weeks in either five, eight-hour shifts or three, 12-hour shifts. Medical assistants skills and responsibilities include:
To become a medical assistant, you must be a high school graduate or have earned your GED. Medical assistant certification or a degree are recommended, but typically not required. To become a certified medical assistant, you can take a certification course online, through an in-person certification program, or an associate degree program. After completing whichever course you choose, you’ll take a certification exam. >> Learn more about Stepful’s 4-month online medical assistant certification program Physician Assistants OverviewA physician assistant is similar to a physician in many ways. They care for patients in all types of healthcare settings, including everything from family practice offices to cardiac surgery. They can diagnose diseases and prescribe medicines, and can consult with the physician if they have questions or have a particularly complex case. Medical assistants can help physician assistants in the same way they help doctors. Physician assistant responsibilities include:
A physician assistant has to graduate with at least a master's degree from an accredited program and pass a licensure exam. Most people spend about six years in school to become a PA, including a bachelor’s degree. Most physician assistants work in private practice offices and hospitals. They usually work during the daytime hours with on-call requirements for nights and weekends. Key Similarities Between Medical Assistants & Physician AssistantsAlthough they are different, MA’s and PA’s do have some similarities. Working in the healthcare industry means that they will share some responsibilities, including:
Key Differences Between Medical Assistants & Physician AssistantsIt is easy to assume that medical assistants and physician assistants have similar job responsibilities. However, there are some major differences between the two, including:
Medical Assistant & Physician Assistants Salary & Job Growth ComparisonMedical assistants and physician assistants have good job opportunities with a high projected growth rate. Their pay is considerably different. Medical assistants salaries average $37,190 per year or about $18 per hour on average. By contrast, physician assistants earn $121,530 per year or $58 per hour. Projected job growth through 2031 is 16% for medical assistants and 24% for physician assistants. These growth rates are both significantly higher than the national average for other jobs in the United States. Many people choose to start their medical career as a medical assistant. Often, people work as medical assistants while pursuing a more advanced degree, or they eventually become leaders or instructors for other medical assistants. Physician assistants can also become leaders in their field, but if they want to advance their career to become a physician or educator, they would have to complete several years of additional schooling or start almost all the way over. Medical Assistant vs Physician Assistant Salary by State
Education & Certification Requirements for Medical Assistants & Physician AssistantsEducation and certification requirements for medical assistants are very different from requirements for physician assistants. If you want to become a medical assistant, you can start applying for jobs right after high school graduation. Many offices and clinics will hire medical assistants with no special training or experience. However, your job opportunities will increase if you become a certified medical assistant. Becoming certified means you have completed an accredited program and passed a certification exam. Medical assistant programs take anywhere from four months to two years. A physician assistant must have a masters degree and pass a licensing examination. This usually takes about six years of full time schooling, including four years of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. They must have advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Many medical assistants will go on to become physician assistants. Depending on if the MA already has a bachelor's degree or not, this can take anywhere from 2 years (if they already have one) to 6 years (if they do not). Comparing a Day in the Life for Medical Assistants & Physician AssistantsA day in the life of medical assistants and physician assistants are both filled with caring for patients, but in different ways. A medical assistant will probably start their day around 7 or 8 in the morning, checking the schedule for the day and sending reminders to patients. Then they will spend their day switching between clinical and administrative tasks, helping the physicians keep things organized and running smoothly. A physician assistant may start in the morning or evening, depending on the shift they choose to work. They might spend their first few hours reviewing patient charts and care plans. Then they will spend the rest of their day assessing and diagnosing patients, making care plans for them, and performing some procedures. FAQs for Medical Assistants vs. Physician AssistantsDo medical assistants or physician assistants make more? Physician assistants make more than three times as much as medical assistants. How long does it take to become a medical assistant vs physician assistant? You can become a certified medical assistant in as little as four months. It takes about six years to become a physician assistant. Is it harder to become a medical assistant or physician assistant? It is more difficult to become a physician assistant than it is to become a medical assistant. What can a physician assistant do that a medical assistant can’t? A physician assistant can make diagnoses, order tests, prescribe medications, and perform complex procedures. Is a medical assistant or physician assistant higher up? A physician assistant has a larger scope of practice than a medical assistant. In fact, many medical assistants work under the supervision of a physician assistant. Can a medical assistant identify as a physician assistant? A medical assistant should not identify as a physician assistant, since their scope of practice and education requirements are very different. Can a medical assistant become a physician assistant? If a medical assistant chooses to go back to school, they can become a physician assistant. Many people work as medical assistants during physician assistant school. Is a CMA higher than a PA? Even if they become certified, a medical assistant has a narrower scope of practice than a physician assistant. You could say that a PA is higher than a CMA. Other Healthcare Career ComparisonsHere are some other career comparisons we've written that may help you decide which is best for you:
How many hours of continuing medical education must a physician assistant PA complete every two years?Category 1. For Category 1 CME, physician assistants are required to complete at least 50 hours every two years to maintain their PA-C license.
What States Can PA's practice independently?The West. Alaska, Arizona, and Wyoming all allow PAs to provide patient care in a modernized practice environment.
In which of the following areas can a physician assistant pursue a postgraduate educational program?Postgraduate educational programs are available in areas such as emergency medicine and psychiatry. To enter one of these programs, a physician assistant must be a graduate of an accredited program and be certified by the NCCPA.
Can a PA write prescriptions?PAs are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, all US territories, and the uniformed services. PAs are authorized to prescribe medications in all jurisdictions where they are licensed, except Puerto Rico.
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