Medical Assistants Medical Assistants Medical assistants help care for patients by performing basic medical and clerical tasks. Medical assistants can perform only a limited number of basic medical duties. Assistants take medical histories and record vital signs. They explain treatments to patients and prepare them for the examination.
Assistants help the doctor during the exam.
They also collect and prepare laboratory specimens. Assistants may perform basic lab tests. They also instruct patients about medication and special diets. Additional duties include drawing blood, taking X rays, and removing sutures. After examinations, assistants clean the room, rearrange equipment, and sterilize used instruments.