Learn the Differences Between a Vocational Nurse and a Medical Assistant
Once you’ve narrowed your career choice to one in the healthcare space, the next step is researching and choosing a profession that suits you. Many careers overlap when it comes to scope, amount of patient interaction, and educational requirements. Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Medical Assistants are similar in some respects but incredibly different in others. Let’s explore these two distinct professions to help you make an informed decision.
About These Healthcare Professions
One notable difference is that Licensed Vocational Nurses, also called Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), must pass an exam to receive their license and practice in the field. Medical Assistants may only need a high school diploma to practice in some states. However, it’s important to note that completing a Medical Assistant program can be essential in this increasingly competitive world and may often improve the likelihood of employment.
Medical Assisting may be a better option if you’re in a hurry to hit the workplace with a specialized set of skills since formal programs are typically completed in under a year. However, whether you are exploring a new career or embarking on a first-time career, salary* is another legitimate consideration that is on the minds of most prospective healthcare professionals.
Medical Assistant vs. Licensed Vocational Nurse: Responsibilities
Overall, the two occupations have significant differences in scope of practice. LVNs learn a greater number of clinical skills and will have more responsibility. It’s worth noting that a Medical Assistant may be allowed to place an IV in a few select states. Below, we have included some job responsibilities for Vocational Nurses and Medical Assistants.
Vocational Nursing Responsibilities
Overall duties
+ Assess and monitor patients
+ Report adverse reactions to medication or treatment
+ Gather information from patients, including their health history
+ Teach patients about good health habits
+ Teach family members how to care for a relative
+ Supervise nursing assistants and aides
In some states, LVNs can administer prescribed medicines, start intravenous fluids, and care for ventilator-dependent patients. In addition, they may complete a plan of care for a specific patient in long-term care, complete insurance forms, pre-authorizations, and referrals, and work with the interdisciplinary team to help determine the best course of care for a patient.
Medical Assisting Responsibilities
Administrative duties
+ Answer telephones
+ Schedule appointments & greet patients
+ Update and file patient charts
+ Order supplies
+ Arrange for hospital admission and laboratory services
+ Handle billing, collections, and bookkeeping
Clinical duties
Clinical duties vary according to state law and may include the following:
+ Taking medical histories and recording vital signs
+ Preparing patients and assisting the physician during the examination
+ Telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy
+ Collect and prepare laboratory specimens
+ Sterilize medical instruments
+ Preparing patients for x-rays
+ Taking electrocardiograms
+ Removing sutures and dressing changes
While there’s some overlap between these two professions, there are distinct differences that are worth noting before you commit.
Medical Assistant vs. Licensed Vocational Nurse: Salary
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary earned by Medical Assistants in 2021 was around $38,000 or about $18 per hour. MAs who earned wages in the top 10 percent made more than $48,000 annually.
Highest-Paying Industries for Medical Assistants
According to the BLS, these are the industries where you’re most likely to find the top-paying jobs for Medical Assistants:
| Industry | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $25.46 | $52,970 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $23.53 | $48,940 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $
Share this entry.While this blog may occasionally contain information that relates to Unitek College's programs or courses, the majority of information provided within this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to represent the specific details of any educational offerings or opinions of Unitek College. *Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees' years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 09/21/2026) Get started today!Complete this form and our Admissions department will contact you shortly with more information. Related Posts
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