A specimen technician plays a critical role in the medical industry, providing vital services to healthcare professionals and their patients. Specimen technicians are responsible for properly collecting, labeling, and transporting biological specimens for laboratory testing. As a specimen technician, you must use proper identification, labeling, and packaging techniques to maintain sample integrity.
The role of a specimen technician is often overlooked, yet it is extremely important in helping to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatments for patients. By collecting and managing specimens correctly, specimen technicians help ensure the accuracy of laboratory results, which are then used to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Furthermore, specimen technicians may provide technical support to medical professionals such as medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians.
Specimen technicians must be well-trained to perform their duties correctly and effectively. They must have a comprehensive knowledge of specimen collection and handling techniques, as well as the proper labeling, transporting, and storage of specimens. They also need to be knowledgeable of safety practices and laws,
What does a specimen technician do?
A specimen technician has the following duties:
Comply with various health and safety standards
It is the duty of a specimen technician to adhere to various health and safety regulations. For instance, they adhere to the standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration when handling hazardous materials. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s provisions are also adhered to by a specimen technician in order to protect patient confidentiality.
Additionally, this professional complies with any workplace-specific safety regulations. They might adhere to a particular cleaning and sanitizing procedure after each sample test. Additionally, they might need to put on particular protective clothing, such as lab coats, goggles, gloves, aprons, closed-toe shoes, and face masks.
Test patient samples
Process different samples of microbiology and toxicology as a specimen technician. They may be in charge of samples such as hair, urine, nails, blood, and body tissues. To conduct the required tests, they may use high-tech lab equipment like hotplates, microscopes, and cell counters. A specimen technician may conduct tests to check for the presence of autoimmune diseases, high cholesterol, coagulation, and protein levels, among other things.
Send test results to other facilities
An observer may notice anomalies or discrepancies in the test results. They must determine whether these results are abnormal and notify the patient’s healthcare provider if they are. They could also decide to send the results to different labs for additional analysis. This can increase the precision of a diagnosis and facilitate the delivery of more effective treatments to patients.
Destroy samples after testing
A specimen technician may be accountable for disposing of samples after carrying out the necessary testing procedures. This procedure preserves patient privacy while making room for additional incoming samples. To dispose of samples, they might burn, irradiate, steam sterilize, or medically disinfect them. A specimen technician receives extensive training so they are aware of the best practices for getting rid of particular samples.
Obtain samples from patients
Some specimen technicians only test the samples they receive. A specimen technician may occasionally be in charge of obtaining samples from patients depending on the demands of their organization. Depending on the type of test the patient needs, they might collect tissues or fluids.
What is a specimen technician?
Those who process medical samples and specimens from human patients are known as specimen technicians. These samples are gathered by a specimen technician, who then submits them for testing to identify any patient medical anomalies. They assist healthcare professionals in choosing the most effective treatments and management strategies.
How to become a specimen technician
The following is a list of the steps to becoming a specimen technician:
1. Earn a high school diploma
Before applying for a job, a future specimen technician can finish their high school education. The majority of employers demand that specimen technicians have at least a high school diploma. If you didn’t complete high school the traditional way, you can still get your GED.
2. Gain science experience
Even though it is not required, having science experience can help you stand out from the competition. As a non-degree seeking student, you might think about enrolling in biology, chemistry, anatomy, hematology, or physiology classes at your nearby community college. You might also think about pursuing a scientific degree or diploma.
3. Determine if you need special certification
Before you apply for a position as a specimen technician, you can look up the requirements in your state. In some states, specimen handlers must be certified before handling certain samples, like blood. Others allow specimen technicians to start working without any special certifications.
4. Apply for a job and receive on-the-job training
After completing steps two and three and receiving your high school diploma, you can apply for a job as a specimen technician. While working, you can complete all the necessary training for this job. For this career, you receive on-the-job training that teaches you how to use lab equipment, adhere to safety procedures, interpret test results, and arrange patient data.
5. Advance your career
You might want to specialize in a particular area of sample collection as you gain experience as a specimen technician. For instance, some specimen technicians pursue training to become histologists, who are trained to prepare tissue samples for pathologists to examine. A job as a phlebotomist, a specialist who draws blood from patients, is another potential route for a specimen technician to advance in their career. These two career paths need additional training and certification due to their specialized nature.
What skills does a specimen technician have?
Here are some key skills that a specimen technician has:
What is a Laboratory Specimen Processor?
FAQ
What does a specimen do?
A specimen is a sample of that thing, such as a blood sample or a piece of body tissue, that is taken for testing. The Latin word specere, which means “to look,” is the source of the noun specimen. “Biologists gather samples so they can observe something more closely and study it.
What is a specimen Prep Tech?
Specimen Prep Tech – Evenings Verifies appropriateness of specimens received. Aliquotes and labels samples in accordance with departmental policies and procedures; promptly delivers samples to the technical floor…
Is a specimen processor a good job?
The job of “Specimen Processor” has a job satisfaction rating of 3 based on 72 responses. 76 out of 5. On average, Specimen Processors are highly satisfied with their job.
How do I become a specimen analyst?
A post-secondary diploma from a specialized program or an associate’s degree may be required for specialist specimen processors. You might need to obtain a phlebotomy certificate if you collect samples. For lab technicians, some community colleges offer associate degrees or diplomas.
