Final answer:
The scope of practice for medical assistants is determined at the state level, where specific regulations and laws define their allowable duties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The duties that a medical assistant can perform are defined by several factors, including education and local laws. Typically, Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA) who operate within a lab setting spend most of their time processing samples and completing routine lab assignments. While a higher education degree is not always required, MLAs must undergo specific clinical training. Meanwhile, Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) usually hold an associate's degree and may be permitted to carry out duties similar to those of Medical Technologists (MT), who tend to require a bachelor's degree.
The scope of practice for medical assistants, including both MLAs and MLTs, is determined at the state level. Each state in the U.S. has regulations and laws that delineate what medical assistants are allowed to do, which can vary from one state to another. These may include specific procedures or tasks that require additional certification or training, ensuring the assistants have the necessary skills to provide quality patient care within the legal framework of their state.