A Clinical Medical Assistant is a medical professional who performs a variety of functions to assist the physician in providing patient care and to keep the practice running smoothly. While a Clinical Medical Assistant may be required to perform some administrative tasks in a smaller practice, in large practices or facilities he or she will mainly provide services directly related to patient care. Where the Administrative Medical Assistant works mainly in the front desk and reception area of a practice, the Clinical Medical Assistant is often at the physician's side and works in close contact with the patients of the practice. This career is not ideal for everyone. In order to be successful as a Clinical Medical Assistant, one must have certain personality characteristics. First, he or she needs to be compassionate while still maintaining a professional distance. In this job, the assistant will work with people who are frustrated, anxious, tired, sick, and possibly dying. The assistant must have compassion and understanding in order to provide good treatment and to help meet the patients' needs. However, this compassion must be tempered with professional distance to keep the assistant from being overwhelmed by stress and grief. A successful Clinical Medical Assistant must also have a variety of specialized skills to perform this job correctly. He or she must have a good understanding of medical procedures and terminology in order to read and understand patient charts. The assistant must also be able to use the tools and equipment of the job, including stethoscopes, EEG and EKG machines, laboratory equipment, sterilization tools, and more.