lpn salary vs medical assistant

An LPNcurriculum is oriented around learning the necessary clinical skills for taking care of patients. Also notable is the salary gap, which is about several dollars an hour on average. There are also online or hybrid options available. While the positions do share some same basic job functions, the medical assistant provides additional administrative support to a physician or clinic, while the LPN offers more in-depth hands on patient care. Medical assistants, however, are not required to hold any similar licensing to begin work as a medical assistant. The last step in becoming an LPN is to take a licensing test. The Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) track is a 12-month diploma program. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, released in 2019, an RN's median salary is $73,300, while the average LPN salary is $47,480. However, keep in mind that salaries vary depending on location and experience. LPN vs Medical Assistant Annual Salary According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for medical assistants was $37,500 in May 2021, compared to $47,500 for LPNs. The median salary for nursing assistants is $14.26 per hour, or. Outpatient care centers offer fewer medical assistant jobs, but they pay an average of $44,680. LPN jobs focus on direct patient care. 3 The BLS attributes the growth to . This guide walks you through the steps needed to become a CNS. LPNs are responsible for tasks such as taking patient vital signs, applying dressings, monitoring patients for changes in condition, and giving injections. As of May 2018, the median annual salary for medical assistants was $33,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Visit PayScale to research licensed practical nurse (lpn) hourly pay by city, experience, skill, employer and more. So in our latest blog we disect these careers! Some MAs hope to become licensed and focus on more clinical patient care and explore becoming LPNs. An MA nurse is a medical assistantwho works in clinics or ambulatory care settings.However, keep in mind that a medical assistantis not a registered nurseand hence cannot undertake nursing duties that need a qualified RN. Many medical assistants work in physicians offices or ambulatory clinics with traditional daytime hours, while LPNs more often find positions in hospitals, nursing homes and even patients homes working a range of hours and shifts. First, some online programs are based in another state, and therefore students should be familiar with their state board licensing requirements. About Us Salaries depend on where you're working, both the setting (hospital vs. doctor's office vs. nursing home) and the part of the country (Birmingham, Alabama pays less than New York City) where you're working. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $10.73 per hour, or $22,330 per year, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $21.36 per hour, or $44,410 per year. Medical assistant salaries: The median earnings for medical assistants, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, were $33,500 in 2017. LPNs make slightly more money than medical assistants on average. Medical assistants and LPN's share several of the same daily tasks, which include basic patient care under the supervision of an RN and/or physician. Because working as a medical assistantdoes not require a license, aspiring medical assistantscan begin working as soon as they complete their training program. Can a Medical Assistant Be a Surgical Tech? How Much Does a Licensed Practical Nurse-Medical Assistant make? Student Payments Accreditation should also be a factor- the program may be accredited locally instead of nationally. Yes, a licensed vocational nurse(LVN) or licensed practical nurse(LPN) who has received the appropriate training can work as a medical assistant.Perhaps youll need to learn more skills regularly used in medical offices, such as collecting EKGs, drawing blood, etc. Hello everyone, welcome to an eye-opening article comparing LPN vs MA. Education How to become an RN or MA? 2 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual pay in 2021 was $38,190. Plenty. LPN programs are designed to allow students to not only perform bedside tasks but work up to their scope of practice from a nursing point of view. Individuals with merely a high school diplomaand no more education or training may be able to start a career as a medical assistant. There is also a salary difference, which averages several dollars an hour. LPNs report a salary range of less than $37,150 to more than $63,790. The national average salary for a qualified LPN is $45,710 per year or $21.98 per hour. But what are the key differences between the two positions? The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the most recent (2014) median annual salary for a Medical Assistant was $29,960 or $14.41 per hour.3That means that half of those in the profession made more than that, and half made less. In-state and out-state differences are also in place, with local students paying considerably less to complete the said programs. BestColleges is committed to delivering content that is objective and accurate. Medical assistants may work in doctors' offices, hospitals, or other medical facilities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welcome to Nurse Code, the number one resource for getting started in the nursing career and Becoming successful. Making patient appointments, greeting patients, answering phones, filing medical records, and other administrative tasksare all part of the job. For example, pharmacology courses for MAs may not be as in-depth as in an LPN program. Experienced medical assistants in the highest 10 percent wage bracket earn upwards of $23.43 per hour or $48,720 per year. Please keep in mind employment and income cannot be guaranteed by any educational institution for students or graduates. Most medical assistants work full time. The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalents, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, American Association of Medical Assistants, American Association of Medical Assistance. However, you should be aware of many various degrees of nursing to make an informed decision that will have a huge impact on your future. An LPN must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and receive a state license before beginning work. LPNs often provide patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. This may include taking vital signs, monitoring patients health, and providing basic patient care. Refer a Friend (15 Results) Wooden pipe for smoking, Peacock feather pipe, Green smoking bowl, Unique tobacco pipe, Fairy bird smoking pipe, Ceremonial peace pipe RainbowOnThePipe (1,718) $27.52 $34.40 (20% off) Custom Tobacco Pipe Holder Rack with Personal Engraving designed for 7 Pipes - Display Stand suitable for different Smoking Pipes KAFpipeWorkshop (1,787). National Average Surgical Tech Salary $45,940 . Learn more about an LPN salary. There are pros and cons to both becoming an LPN and a medical assistant. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (321) 440-4653, or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), employment of LPNsis expected to expand by 8-9 percent. These tasks include caring for patients with ventilators or providing feedings through feeding tubes, or assisting with wound care. The average annual salary for an LPN in 2011 was $42,040, according to the Bureau of Labor statistics. Candidates who pass this exam will be able to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN). This is an excellent choice for working MAs as online/hybrid programs offer more flexibility than traditional campus programs. Usually, LPN programs can take around 12 to 18 months to complete. They know how to operate medical devices and possess a strong knowledge of medications, health conditions, and treatments. Conclusion In this article, we have discussed the various roles of a medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse. Individuals interested in providing direct patient care may prefer the LPN career path. Medical assistants, on the other hand, perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and handling billing and insurance paperwork. Image Credit: Maskot / DigitalVision / Getty Images. The major difference in employment potential for these two professions is in earnings. How Long is an LPN Program if Courses Can be Transferred? At ACI Medical & Dental school, students can be certified to become a Medical Assistant in just four months, with both day and evening classes available. Medical assistants are professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. In some states, they must also complete a state-approved exam. In order to best compare the two positions, lets look at the median salary for each profession. Demand for elder care means the profession will see a rise in demand over the next decade (although that demand is less than for medical assistants).2. The best-paid 25 percent made $60,085 probably that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made around $47,806. Medical Assistant Program Objective They're both are high-contact, meaning a Medical Assistant and an LPNboth will interact a lot with patients. Medical Assisting with X-Ray Tech (Limited Scope), Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Construction and Building Maintenance Technology, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Business Administration - Executive Assistant, Business Administration - Marketing and Sales, Restaurant, Hospitality, and Retail Management, Beat Production and Recording Arts Technology, 4368 Downtowner Loop South, Mobile, AL 36609, 4520 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd. See a full list of our Review Network contributors. Be sure to explore your options if you're considering a career change. Additionally, salary data cited in this article is based on median data provided by the United States Department of Labor, does not reflect starting or entry level salaries, and can vary widely based on geographic location. Many medical assistantswork regular daytime hours in physicians officesor ambulatory clinics, whereas LPNs workvarious hours and shifts in hospitals, nursing homes, and even patients homes. Continuing education can also help you pursue a new career path that uses your healthcare experience. Whichever career track you take, you can't really go wrong: the medical profession is one of the few that's expected to increase in demand over the coming decades. When it comes to choosing a medical career as a LPN or Medical Assistant a lot of questions can come up. In most cases, however, employers seek medical assistants who have completed a formal training program. Due to the more large-scale education and training, Licensed Practical Nurses earn more dollars than Certified Nurses Assistants. Critical Injury Research; . Hence, there are a lot of employment opportunities for medical assistants and licensed practical nurses. LPNs also have more opportunity for advancement than medical assistants. The cost of living in a state and the demand for MA jobs in that location will affect salaries earned. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that the average annual salary of an LPN is $48,820, which works out to $23.47 per hour. Depending on the school, students may be able to earn a diploma in as little as nine months, or an associates degree in 18-24 months. They also take patient histories and record vital signs. Seasoned medical assistants can make significantly more, with the top 10% earning $48,170 on average ( bls.gov ). Medical assistants earn, on average, a little more than nursing assistants. LPNdiploma programs cover basic nursing and health science principles, such as: LPNswho desire to further their careers and gain more responsibility and salary might enroll in bridge programs. Avg. Forms Licensed Practical Nurses ( LPNs ), on the other hand, provide more basic nursing care to patients and usually work under the supervision of RNs and other medical professionals. Before going through LPN vs Medical Assistant Salary, one should know that Professional medical assistant coaching happens between two and one decades to finish, based upon the schedule and degree of coaching. Working as a nurse, you are held accountable for more things than you realize, so being diligent, Medical Assistant vs. LPN Licensing & Certification. 3 http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm, Call 1-800-208-1950 Both medical assistants and LPNs must be licensed in most states. Medical assistants and LPN's have different licensing and certification requirements for students to be aware of. Full-time, temporary, and part-time jobs. It's also important to remember that your salary will likely be determined by the type of environment you work in and the location of your work. Learn about training and career opportunities for these healthcare professions. How to Prepare to Take the Medical Assistant Exam. Medical assistant jobs typically involve clinical and clerical duties in a doctor's office or hospital. Nursing assistants note day-to-day changes in the condition of their patients. Demand for medical assistants and LPNs continues to grow. Salary and Career. Aside from salary, it's also important to think about the kind of care (short-term vs. long-term) you feel called to give. Medical assistants (MAs) work under the supervision of licensed physicians and perform both clinical and administrative tasks. Is a Career in Medical Assisting Right for You? ), Assists patients with daily activities such as showering, dressing, and using the bathroom, Cares for and inserts the urinary catheters, Cares for patients on ventilators and tracheostomy tubes, Feeds patients using nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes, Monitors the progress of patients and notifies the proper physicians when necessary, Under the supervision of an RN, carries out a nursing care plan, Obtaining insurance information from a patient, Filling out patient forms and insurance documentation. Because of the variability, students are encouraged to first check with their state board of nursing- some boards specifically state that to be licensed as an LPN, one must graduate from an approved nursing program. Both interact directly with patients and need strong people skills. They also provide emotional support to patients and families. Medical information at dayofdifference.org.au. Few states require licensing for medical assistants unless they perform specific clinical duties. Some classes, such as anatomy and physiology might be transferable, but again, that depends on the school. But that's not always the case. Both can perform EKGs with the proper training and licensure. Associate degrees can also cost an aspiring nurse much lesser (starting from $6,000). Additionally, individual state nursing boards, as well as schools, outline what can be transferred and what can not. college. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Employment not guaranteed for students or graduates. In contrast, a medical assistantis responsible for clinical dutiessuch as scheduling appointmentsand preparing insurance paperwork and basic clinical taskssuch as taking a patients vital signs. Programs As a result, LPN salary is usually higher than medical assistant salary. 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