Eleanor Said:

What is the difference in a Medical Assistant and a Medical Assistant Technician?

We Answered:

It's the same thing. They get payed the same and they usually help doctors with patient procedures and verify insurance information.

Mario Said:

What is the difference between a Medical Assistant and a Registered Nurse?

We Answered:

You don't need anything more than a high school diploma or GED. M.A.'s are about as low as you can be in the medical field and I personally would never allow an M.A. to assist in anything other than cleaning empty exam rooms or sharpening pencils. They certainly don't belong inside an exam room with a patient. You're better off being anything else unless you want to avoid any kind of education.

Keith Said:

How much does a medical assistant start out making?

We Answered:

don't waste your time and money on one of these MA programs.........
go to school and become an LPN (at least),
MAs are no more then file clerks and receptionist (i respect both, they are valuable parts of the team).
if you can't get your LPN at least become a CMA (clinical medical assistant) then you can actually perform some patient care and have the possibility to advance.......

the pay for MA, CMA, LPN or RN will vary by employer, and location but generally
the pay for a MA is a little more then minimum wage and jobs are very hard to find......
the pay for a CMA is a couple dollars an hour more then a MA........
an LPN will start at close to double what a MA starts at and an RN makes $5.00 to $10.00 an hour more then an LPN.....


the average starting wage for an MA in Pennsylvania is $9.90 an hour...
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2008/may/oes31909…

Jacob Said:

What jobs would I qualify for as a medical assistant?

We Answered:

I've heard that there are not too many jobs for the MA (including medical biller and coder). If you would still like to enter a training program, please do so at a lesser expensive school such as the local community college (perhaps non-credit course) or county vo-tech school as opposed to private schools. And please stay away from online schools such as penn foster and stratford career as most employers don't find them to be reputable. Others have recommended on YA that the person skip the MA training and instead apply for admission to an LPN (licensed practical nurse) program albeit it is supposed to be quite rigorous in the coursework as well as clinicals. It is said thought that there are supposed to be a lot more job opportunities for the lpn (however, not nearly as much as the RN/registered nurse).

Brandon Said:

What is something a medical assistant can do that an average person would not know?

We Answered:

Are you looking for something in particular? Give injections, write prescriptions (Dr. authorized), schedule tests and procedures, removed stitches/staples, return pt calls...