Final answer:
Medical assistants in California can perform blood draws if they have proper training and phlebotomy certification, which requires completing an accredited program and passing an exam.
Step-by-step explanation:
California law does indeed permit medical assistants to draw blood in a clinical setting, provided they have completed the necessary training. This allowance falls under their scope of practice when they meet specific certification requirements. For instance, they must obtain a phlebotomy certification. This specialized training is crucial because phlebotomy involves understanding how to puncture veins correctly, handle blood specimens, and adhere to safety protocols to prevent contamination and infection. To achieve certification, a medical assistant must typically complete an accredited program and pass a certification examination before they are legally cleared to perform blood draws.