What does a Specimen Processor do?
Specimen processors work in laboratories and handle specimens including a bacteria culture or a blood sample. They prepare samples for laboratory analysis, collect samples from patients, assist medical staff, and perform data entry. They receive and open specimen bags and enter inventory, patient demographics, and test code into computer systems as part of the setup process. They prepare specimens for laboratory testing and analysis and ensure specimens and requisitions are labeled correctly.
Specimen processors validate requisitions against specimens before scanning them into the system and keeping a watchful eye for outside issues, including potential cross-contamination. Specimen processors must clean and maintain the laboratory and all equipment used, inform patients of the process, and answer any relevant or pressing questions, explaining safe specimen collection. When a patient provides an example, they inform them of any next steps or physician advice. Specimen processors need a high school diploma or equivalency, laboratory experience, and one year of similar work experience.
- Open specimens and pour off into secondary containers to prepare for analysis and testing.
- Identify and processes orders for irretrievable body fluid specimens.
- Data entry of patient information into the computer system for tracking purposes.
- Manage performance and provide coaching for leader development and success.
- Assist and instruct in the supervision of specialized technical skills requirements and work performance in the department.
- Meet key production metrics and quality measures to ensure timely and accurate results.
- Prioritize, clean, decontaminate, prepare, assemble, and sterilize instrument trays for daily and ongoing surgical needs.
- Identify and escalate safety issues to lead technician or manager.
- Perform QA check on items as being placed into case carts.
- Identify problems area such as inefficiencies, equipment issues, staffing issues, and customer complaints and takes corrective action.
- Clean and decontaminate patient equipment, sterilizes instruments and supplies using various type of sterilizers.
- Assemble, inspect, and prepare instruments for proper sterilization methods.
- Maintain sterile supplies according to facility policy and procedure.
- Develop staffing models that support service needs and meet departmental budget targets.
- Bachelor's Degree in science.
- Dexterity and fluency with lab equipment including slides, workstations, and medical instrumentation.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
- Comfortable making decisions and leading with confidence.
- Trained to work with pathogens.
- Will exhibit a positive attitude and willingness to strengthen inner-lab workings.
Specimen Processor Career Path
Learn how to become a Specimen Processor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Specimen Processor Insights
Trilab“Good job if you want to work in a lax work environment where almost no one really cares about the job”
Quest Diagnostics“This position provided me with much needed skills to start my career in an laboratory setting.”
Quest Diagnostics“It’s good and good pay”
Bio-Reference Labs“Now you have to work two holidays and they get to decide which holidays count and which don't”
Centura Health“Pay was pretty good and over time pay was nice.”
Labcorp“Little to no training I provided and you will still be punished if something bad happens.”
Color“It would be nice to have better pay and clearer paths to increase pay or get promoted.”
Banner Health“If I had to pick something I would have to say better pay of course.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Specimen Processor
- Medical Laboratory Tech
- Phlebotomist
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist
- Medical Technologist