Medical Assistant vs. CNA vs. LVN in California: What’s the Difference?
If you have a passion for helping people, you may be contemplating a career in healthcare. With numerous healthcare jobs to explore, it can be difficult to know which direction to go.
If you’re interested in starting out in patient care, here are a few healthcare careers you may want to consider:
- Medical assistant
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
- Licensed vocational nurse (LVN)
While these jobs may have some overlapping duties, they are distinct in terms of their scope of duties and professional requirements. What follows are the differences between these three roles (medical assistant vs. CNA vs. LVN) to give aspiring healthcare professionals a better idea of which career path they may want to pursue.
What is a medical assistant?
Medical assistants are essential for helping healthcare offices and facilities run smoothly. These healthcare professionals are trained to perform both administrative duties and some clinical duties under the direction of a physician.
As outlined by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), common medical assistant duties in California include:
Clinical Duties
- Drawing blood
- Performing routine lab tests
- Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
- Documenting patients' medical histories
- Preparing patients for the physician
- Preparing and administering medications as directed by a physician
- Approving drug refills and sending prescription information to pharmacies
Administrative Duties:
- Scheduling appointments
- Billing and coding for insurance processing
- Keeping office and lab supplies in stock
- Cleaning and sterilizing medical instruments
- Preparing exam rooms for patients
- Maintaining medical records
Due to the administrative nature of their work, medical assistants can work in a diverse range of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, physician offices, outpatient centers, dental offices and more.
You can become a medical assistant in California after completing a formal medical assistant training program or after receiving training under the supervision of a licensed physician, podiatrist, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, physician assistant or qualified medical assistant (i.e., a certified medical assistant) who is acting under the direction of a physician or podiatrist.
For a deeper dive into the role and career path of a medical assistant, check out our guide titled “How to Become a Medical Assistant in California.”
What is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
A certified nursing assistant is a healthcare professional who provides support and care for patients under the direction of licensed nurses. Unlike a medical assistant, a CNA’s job only consists of patient care duties, which includes activities of daily living (ADLs).
According to the California EDD, common nursing assistant duties in California include:
- Helping patients with daily living activities such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, walking, exercising, etc.
- Turning or repositioning patients who are bedridden
- Answering patient calls and providing assistance as needed
- Recording patients' vital signs as directed by medical or nursing staff
- Reviewing patients’ dietary restrictions (such as food allergies) and preferences to help them maintain a proper diet
- Measuring and documenting food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output and reporting any changes to medical or nursing staff
- Reminding patients to take medications or nutritional supplements
- Communicating with caregivers, nurses and/or physicians about patients’ conditions, plans for treatment or activities
- Observing patients and reporting on any symptoms that may need medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds or blood in urine
A few common work environments for CNAs include nursing care facilities, hospitals, patients’ homes (through home healthcare) and outpatient care centers.
To become a certified nursing assistant in California, you must complete a CNA program that is approved by the California Department of Public Health and pass a competency evaluation exam so you can become licensed. You will not be considered a CNA until after you pass your exam and complete your licensure application.
What is a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)?
A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is an entry-level nurse who is able to provide care for patients under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).
While an LVN performs a lot of the same tasks as a medical assistant or CNA, they are legally allowed to perform a broader scope of clinical duties. They are also allowed to supervise nursing assistants or aides.
Here are some common LVN duties in California, as defined by the California EDD:
- Taking and recording patients’ vital signs
- Answering patient calls and providing assistance as needed
- Recordings patients’ food and fluid intake/output
- Providing basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperature or blood pressure readings, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging or performing catheterizations
- Administering prescribed medications or starting intravenous fluids, updating patients’ charts with the times and amounts
- Observing patients and noting changes in their conditions (such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment) and taking follow-up action as needed
- Working as a member of a healthcare team to evaluate patient needs, plan and adjust care and implement medical interventions
- Supervising nursing assistants or aides
LVNs work in various healthcare settings, including nursing care facilities, hospitals, continuing care retirement communities, outpatient care centers and other care facilities.
You can become licensed as an LVN in California after completing a state-approved vocational nursing diploma program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Nurses (NCLEX-PN) or the National League for Nursing Test Pool Practical Nursing Examination (NLN). Learn more about California’s LVN licensure. requirements.
Some nurses complete a diploma program and become an LVN and then later pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with the goal of becoming a registered nurse.
Check out our LVN vs. ADN post to learn more about these two different types of nursing programs.
Nursing Assistant vs. CNA vs. LVN Comparison Recap
If you’re looking for more variety in your job function and are interested in performing administrative tasks in addition to clinical tasks, a job as a medical assistant might be right for you. In contrast, a CNA or LVN position would be a better fit for someone who is solely interested in caring for patients.
A certified nursing assistant role is great for someone who wants to jump right into hands-on patient care. Meanwhile, a licensed vocational nurse role may be ideal for someone who wants more extensive clinical responsibilities as well as greater involvement in planning and coordinating patient care.
Whichever profession you choose, you will be playing an important role in keeping your healthcare organization running efficiently and providing patients with the care and support they need.
Career Advancement: Medical Assistant to LVN Pathway
If you're currently working as a medical assistant and want to advance your career, transitioning to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse offers significant opportunities for growth.
Why Make the Transition?
Expanded Scope of Practice: As an LVN, you'll be able to:
- Administer medications and start IV lines
- Perform more complex patient assessments
- Supervise nursing assistants and aides
- Work in hospitals and acute care facilities (not available to MAs in California)
Career Foundation: LVN licensure serves as a stepping stone to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) through bridge programs.
Your MA Experience is Valuable
Your background as a medical assistant provides excellent preparation for LVN programs. You already understand:
- Healthcare terminology and procedures
- Patient interaction and care basics
- Clinical skills like taking vital signs and drawing blood
- Healthcare documentation and workflows
Pathway Requirements
Education: Complete a state-approved LVN program (1,530 hours total: 576 theory + 804 clinical + 150 skill lab hours)
Timeline: 12-18 months depending on full-time vs. evening + weekend study
Licensing: Pass the NCLEX-PN examination
Next Steps for MAs
- Research BVNPT-approved LVN programs such as American Career College's Vocational Nursing program
- Complete any prerequisite courses (anatomy, physiology, etc.)
- Continue gaining healthcare experience in your current MA role
- Apply for financial aid and explore scholarship opportunities
The transition from MA to LVN represents a natural career progression that builds on your existing skills while opening doors to greater responsibilities and earning potential.
ACC MA grads may be eligible for a $2,000 Continuing Education Grant when advancing to the LVN program.
Getting Started with a Healthcare Training Program
It doesn't need to take an extensive amount of time to achieve your healthcare career goals. Most medical assistant and LVN programs can be completed within one to two years and some programs (depending on where they are offered) are shorter than others.
Though the length of a CNA certification program varies based on your location, the institution offering the program, the number of clinical hours required and several other factors, a CNA training program can generally be completed in four to 12 weeks.
American Career College Programs:
Medical Assistant Program:
- Duration: 9 months
- Format: Blended (online and on-campus instruction)
- Available at: Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County campuses
Vocational Nursing Program:
- Duration: 12 months (full-time) or 18 months (Evening/Weekends program)
- Available at: Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County campuses
Both programs are designed to help quickly train you to enter the healthcare field and start making a difference in patients' lives.
Click the links above to learn more about these two programs or explore the other healthcare career programs we have available.
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to become a medical assistant in California?
Medical assistant programs typically take around one to two years to complete. However, the Medical Assistant program at American Career College can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Q: What career path can an LVN pursue beyond licensure?
After becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), many pursue advanced education to become registered nurses (RNs) through Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. This advancement can expand their scope of practice and open leadership opportunities in healthcare.
