Can Medical Assistants Work in Nursing Homes?

Well, yes, but typically nursing homes do not hire for the position of medical assistant. The type of position they most often need to fill is that of a CNA, Nursing Aide, PCW, or medication aide. This means that your job title will likely not be “Medical Assistant”.

So, if you completed a medical assistant program and want to work in a nursing home then it may be required that you gain additional training such as with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In fact, in some states, or with certain employers, you may be required to obtain your CNA license.

That being said, your role at the nursing home will likely be very different than the clinical role that medical assistants are educated and trained to do.

In a nursing home, your work responsibilities will likely revolve around

• feeding
• bathing
• changing
• re-positioning
• giving medication

One thing to note is you may see job listings for nursing homes hiring an “MA” but this is often times referring to a Medication Aide, not a Medical Assistant.

It is also worth noting that medical assistants can work in dozens of places including remote medical assistants. That is right, medical assistants can work from home.