Final answer:
A medical laboratory assistant's main responsibilities are processing samples and carrying out lab assignments, not gathering patient information, which is typically done by other healthcare staff.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that a medical laboratory assistant (MLA) is typically responsible for gathering initial patient information. MLAs primarily spend their time in the laboratory setting, processing samples and performing routine lab tasks. The role of gathering patient information usually falls to other healthcare professionals, such as nurses or medical assistants who interact directly with the patients. While MLAs require clinical training, they do not necessarily have to hold a degree to work in their field, but their focus is on lab-based duties rather than patient intake.