Laboratory Technician Health Article

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

A laboratory technician is an individual who, under the direct supervision of a laboratory scientist, processes and prepares samples from humans, animals, food, water, soil, and air for examination and testing and who performs routine laboratory tests using written standard testing protocols. In some public health clinics, the laboratory technician is also responsible for collecting the specimens, preparing specimens for shipment to reference laboratories, and for preparing and distributing the reports of the test results. The laboratory technician may also be responsible for routine quality control procedures such as recording temperatures of refrigerators, freezers, and water baths. Additionally, the laboratory technician prepares reagents necessary for testing.

KATHLEEN L. MECKSTROTH.

(SEE ALSO: Assurance of Laboratory Testing Quality; Diagnostic Testing for Communicable Disease; Laboratory Services; Practice Standards; Reference Laboratory)