At Advantage Career Institute Medical & Dental School, we train our students for in demand careers in the healthcare field. With jobs in the medical and dental fields growing at a much faster rate than other professions and more positions than employers can fill, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in healthcare.

With so many possible career paths to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In our Career Comparison blog series, we’ll look at some different healthcare positions so you can make an informed choice. In this post, we’ll compare the Medical Assistant vs. Home Health Aide (HHA).

What is the Difference Between Medical Assistants and Home Health Aides (HHA)?

While both of these careers involve helping patients, beyond that they are very different jobs.

Job Descriptions and Responsibilities

A Medical Assistant is a flexible member of a healthcare team with a wide range of responsibilities. Medical Assistants work with physicians, nurses, and other professionals to perform various patient care duties, including clinical and administrative tasks.

The responsibilities of a Medical Assistant include, but are not limited to:

• Performing EKGs and phlebotomy procedures
• Assisting doctors in physical exams and minor surgeries
• Taking patients’ vital signs, height and weight measurements
• Dressing wounds and administering medications
• Sterilizing medical instruments and preparing examination rooms
• Updating patient electronic health records (EHR)
• Front office duties including answering phones and scheduling appointments

A Home Health Aide helps sick, elderly, or disabled patients with daily living activities and other healthcare needs, usually in the comfort of their own home but sometimes at a healthcare facility. Home Health Aides work independently, but are usually under the supervision of another medical professional such as a Registered Nurse (RN).

The responsibilities of a HHA vary depending on their assignment but can include:

• Taking patients’ vital signs
• Dressing wounds and administering medications
• Turning or repositioning bedridden patients
• Feeding patients
• Shopping and light housekeeping
• Helping with basic hygiene such as bathing, shaving, brushing teeth, and combing hair
• Provide bedside care for sick and injured patients

Work Environment

Medical Assistant and HHA jobs differ greatly in terms of their workplace and schedule.

• A Medical Assistant can work in a variety of healthcare facilities including doctor’s offices, clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals. While their schedule will vary depending on their workplace, they can have the opportunity for a more standard 9 to 5 work week.
• Home Health Aides work primarily in private homes, retirement communities, nursing care facilities, and assisted living facilities. Their schedule can vary greatly based on their workplace or the needs of their patients.

Job Outlook

Both of these healthcare jobs have a promising outlook over the next decade, growing significantly faster than positions in other fields:

• Medical Assistant jobs are projected to grow 23% between 2018 and 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Home Health Aide jobs are projected to grow 36% between 2018 and 2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Education Requirements

These positions differ in the amount of education and training required.

• At ACI Medical & Dental school, students with a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) can be certified to become a Medical Assistant in just four months, with both day and evening classes available.
• Home Health Aides do not typically have any educational requirements. They must complete a Home Health Aide training course approved by the NJ Board of Nursing and complete a competency evaluation by a licensed home health care agency.

Medical Assistant Certification in Monmouth County, NJ

If you feel that the Medical Assistant career is right for you, contact ACI Medical & Dental School today. By completing our Medical Assistant Certification Program with EKG, phlebotomy and patient care technician certifications, students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to take on the responsibilities of a Clinical Medical Assistant in just four months.

Classes are starting soon! To learn more about this exciting new career opportunity and take the next step towards an in demand job in a growing industry, contact us today.

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