A medical assistant is a healthcare professional who performs various administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, physicians' offices or other healthcare facilities. Their duties may include taking patient histories, administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, assisting with minor surgeries, and helping doctors with their daily tasks. Medical assistants are usually supervised by a doctor or another medical professional, but they may also work independently in some cases. They play an important role in ensuring that patients receive high-quality care while reducing the workload of other healthcare professionals.