A medical assistant, also known as a "clinical assistant" or healthcare assistant is an allied health professional who supports the work of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other health professionals. Medical assistants will often room the patient and go over their medical and surgical history, medications and social history. They also assist with biopsies, wound care, changing bandages, applying splints, removing sutures and staples as well as gathering important test results and drawing blood for lab tests.