A medical assistant or certified medical assistant typically works in a doctor's office. Medical assistants help doctors and nurses with patient care and administrative tasks. Duties may include taking vital signs, performing EKG tests, drawing blood, and handling medical billing and insurance. One-year certificate programs and two-year associate degree programs are available.
A certified nurse's aide typically works in a hospital as part of the nursing staff. CNAs help nurses provide basic patient care and ensure patient safety. Duties may include vital signs, updating the nurse and physician with changes in the patient's condition, feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting and ambulating the patient. CNA training classes last six to 12 weeks and are offered by community colleges, hospitals and home care agencies. A certification exam is required.
A patient care technician has similar duties to those of a certified nursing assistant. Additional responsibilities may include phlebotomy, or drawing blood; conducting EKGs; discontinuing IVs; and collecting and testing laboratory specimens. Training is typically provided "on the job" by the employer; certification is not necessary.
An emergency medical technician provides pre-hospital patient care. EMTs transport patients to the emergency room via ambulance. Duties may include assessing and reporting patient status to the E.R. physician and nurses, managing trauma, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, and delivering babies. Course work may take six months for a certificate program and two years for an associate's degree.