I am excited to say I am officially a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)! I had both my clinical and written tests last week and I passed both of them. Now that I’ve earned my CNA license, I’m preparing to work toward my next certification: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
As a part of Health Science Clinical, the first semester we work towards our CNA license while the second semester we work towards our CCMA license. While they both sound similar and both roles are in charge of patient care, they have slightly different scopes of practice.
Role of CNAs
CNAs provide essential, hands-on care for patients. They help with daily activities like dressing, feeding, and bathing, and monitoring vital signs. CNAs often work in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. This role focuses on making sure patients are comfortable and cared for over extended periods which allows CNAs to build meaningful relationships with the residents they care for. Becoming a CNA is often the first step in pursuing a nursing career.
Role of CCMAs
CCMAs have a broader range of responsibilities. They handle both administrative tasks, like updating medical records, and clinical duties, such as assisting with procedures, administering medications, and performing basic lab tests. CCMAs usually work in outpatient settings like clinics, physician offices, or urgent care centers and patient interactions are more short-term. This role is often a stepping stone for those aiming to work closely with physicians.
Testing and Certification Process
The certification process for each role is also different. The CNA exam includes a hands-on clinical portion and a written test that focuses on scenarios related to patient care. In contrast, the CCMA exam has only a written portion which covers a range of topics from medical terminology to clinical procedures to administrative duties.
Looking Ahead
I’ve truly enjoyed building connections with residents as a CNA, especially in nursing homes. Now, I’m excited to expand my knowledge as I work toward becoming a CCMA. This role will give me a deeper understanding of both patient care and clinical tasks, which is important as I plan to become a physician. I’m looking forward to gaining experience in different hospital departments and exploring potential specialties for my future career.
