- A medical assistant is someone employed by health care providers such as physicians, chiropractors and podiatrists to perform clinical and administrative tasks. The medical assistant's duties vary according to specialization. A clinical medical assistant focuses on general tasks, and under the supervision of a doctor authorizes prescription refills and instructs patients on medications. An administrative medical assistant works on clerical tasks such as creating, updating and filing patients’ medical records. This assistant also fills out insurance forms, greets patients and answers phones. The ophthalmic medical assistant shows patients how to care for contact lenses, administers eye medication and performs eye muscle function tests.
- An LPN is a nurse who, under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse, provides bedside care for injured, sick or disabled patients. He reports patients’ adverse reactions to treatments and medications to health care providers. The LPN gives patients injections and observes patients’ vital signs such as pulse, respiration and temperature. Also, an LPN ensures that patients are comfortable and assists them with personal hygiene and moving around the hospital room. He may supervise nursing aides and assistants.
- According the BLS, a medical assistant should have a high school diploma and typically receives on-the-job training. Although there’s no formal post-secondary educational requirements, colleges and vocational schools offer medical assisting programs that last approximately one to two years. Coursework usually includes classes in medical terminology, record keeping and insurance processing. An LPN must complete a nursing program that lasts about a year. The nursing program combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience.
- An LPN must pass the licensure examination offered by the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to practice. The examination tests an LPN on four client needs categories. A licensure isn’t needed to work as a medical assistant. Certifications aren’t required either. However, according to the BLS, certifications offered by organizations like American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) may lead medical assistants to higher salary or advancement.
- A medical assistant who decides to advance may teach medical assisting or become a nurse. An LPN may advance to specialties such as pharmacology or choose to become a registered nurse. According to BLS, in 2008, the median salary for an LPN was $39,030, compared to a median salary of $28,300 a year for a medical assistant.
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