Drug Testing 101: Observe Specimen Collection for Urine

Drug Testing 101: Observe Specimen Collection for Urine

Before we proceed to the steps, it is essential for the Authorized Specimen Collector to be oriented on the procedures to ensure proper specimen collection. He/She must be vigilant to minimize the risk of tampering the urine specimen.

1.       Prepare and secure collection site and supplies

a.       Make sure the waterless urinal is clean. 

2.       Verify donor identification

3.       Explain the basic collection procedure

a.       Instruct the donor to remove all unnecessary outer garments and put it in a secure tray or locker in the collection site. Perform bodily search.

4.       Verify donor’s ID

5.       Label the specimen bottle legibly

6.       Fill up Step 1 of CCF

7.       Pay close attention to collection

a.       Observe one collection at a time

b.      Check the volume and inspect physical characteristics

c.       Fill Step 2 and initiates Step 3 of CCF

8.       Let the donor wash hands thoroughly

9.       Close and apply seal over the lid bottle in front of the donor

a.       Sign over seal indicate collection date and time

b.      Ask the donor to fill up and sign step 5 of the CCF

Reference:

Seminar/Workshop on the Manual of Operations for Screening Drug Testing Laboratories Lecture Handouts 2016

Part-time drug analyst

When you realize that you need an extra money to get through each passing day, one job isn't enough. Much more you got bills to pay, you need to have an extra source of income. Just when I lost hope and nearly quit my job as a medical technologist at a hospital I suddenly found hope and got an opportunity to maximize being a drug analyst. So here I am, getting myself another part-time job being a drug analyst!

I left my previous part-time job because of many reasons: one is it cuts my budget. Going to and fro costs me 100 pesos so it's like that a considerable portion of my daily wage just went to fare. Also, it is a distance away from home. I need to get on a habal-habal, tricycle, and jeep to the clinic which is stressful. And one more thing, I'm just an on-call medtech. Meaning, I just get to work there when the medical technologist decides to take her day off.

I got this drug analyst opportunity when I and my friend went to LTO office to get a student permit. To obtain such, one must secure a medical certificate so we went to the nearest LTO-accredited medical/drug testing laboratory to get ours.

The process went smoothly, we easily got our medical certificate without a hassle. And just as we were about to leave, I asked one of the staff if they are still in need of a drug analyst when they said they do1

And that's when my drug analyst career started. 

I get paid hourly. My work schedule in the drug testing facility starts from 8AM till 12NOON so I work additional 4 hours in complement with my regular 2PM-10PM in the hospital laboratory. Sounds pretty stressful? Well, I just handled it for almost 7 months already and still coping up.

BENEFITS

Having a part time job helped me to stay on my budget for a month. With my regular job paying on a 15th-30th scheme, my part time  pays on the 5th and 20th so I get to allocate what needs to be paid first. Not to brag but I can really say I don't feel much of the 'tingbits' times (that's when you're running out of money but you're trying to make ends meet). It somehow helped me to save money in various saving vehicles and treat my family to dinners as well.

DISADVANTAGES

As mentioned, I get to work 12 hours a day so usually I get home around 11 pm and wake up at 5AM to get ready on things. I got only few hours of sleep. True, it's stressing me out but I have no choice so I get sick sometimes. Because of this, I never forget taking multivitamins to boost my immune system and invest on affordable beauty regimens for me not to look haggard.

For me, being a part-time drug analyst is somehow a blessing. I got the opportunity to make use of my certification at the same time I'm well-compensated. I thank the management for considering me to work even just half a day. Also, I'm grateful to have such outgoing workmates in the place as well. Truly, a worthy experience!

MUST-KNOW in DRUG TESTING

The information that you're going to read are based from the manual of operations for drug testing laboratories of the Department of Health. Please feel free to correct me if there are any
mistakes or changes on the protocol.

• Republic Act 9165 is known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
• It is required to ask for a valid ID (with donor's picture on it) for verification purposes. 
• Custody and Control Forms should be completely filled up by the donor, ASC and the analyst each time the specimen to document the security of the urine specimen.
• Single specimen collection must contain 60 ml of the urine sample placed in a single container
• Split specimen collection must contain 30 ml in two separate containers
• Specimen container should be properly labeled with donor's name, date and time of collection with signature
• The collection site shouldn't have any access to water or other substances that could adulterate, dilute or substitute the sample.
• All specimen 
• Urine specimens for prolonged storage are stored in a freezer at -20 degrees celsius. It ISstored initially in ref temp between 2-6 degrees celsius for not more than 1 day.
• A positive initial screening result should be sent to a confirmatory laboratory with complete documents and ensuring the urine specimen for secure transport.